SAVE WESTERN MARYLAND P.O.

Box 81

Oakland, Maryland 21550

www.savewesternnmaryland.com

For Immediate Release

July 25, 2010

Press Release
Save Western Maryland joined the Maryland Conservation
Council and several concerned citizens in a July 20, 2010 letter providing
official notice to Synergics Wind Energy, LLC, Delmarva Power and Light
Company, Nordex USA, Inc. and the Garrett County Commissioners, that the
installation and operation of the Roth Rock wind energy project will violate the
federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Available evidence demonstrates that the
Synergics wind project will almost certainly result in unauthorized “takes” of
Indiana bats and Virginia big-eared bats, triggering criminal and civil enforcement
actions. Upon expiration of a 60 day period, suit may be filed in federal court.

Synergics and others could avoid liability under the ESA by acquiring an
incidental take permit (ITP) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service).
An ITP can be obtained after submission and approval of a habitat conservation
plan. The Service publishes a step-by step guide and assists in the development of
such plans.

“Synergics and their business partners must be held accountable to all laws,
especially the ESA. In order to live up to the claim of green energy, Big Wind
must show that it does not further drive these bats into extinction. As a
responsible corporate citizen they must halt construction until a conservation plan
is completed and a permit is issued,” states a Save Western Maryland
spokesperson.