Wind Power

“This is not over”: Idaho legislators rebuke BLM’s revised Lava Ridge Wind project

“This is not over”: Idaho legislators rebuke BLM’s revised Lava Ridge Wind project
A visual simulation of how Lava Ridge Wind would look with the 740-foot turbines in the original project proposal (courtesy: U.S. Department of the Interior, BLM)

Numerous Idaho legislators are vowing to continue to fight against what would be the largest wind generation project in the state, calling the latest plans for the site “a slap in the face of Idahoans” that will ultimately benefit California rather than the Gem State.

Late last week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a final environmental impact statement on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind in Lincoln County, an up to 1000-MW project located in south-central Idaho, northeast of Twin Falls.

The proposed location of Lava Ridge Wind (courtesy: BLM)

According to BLM, the EIS was the culmination of more than 30 months of public outreach that included more than 1,400 scoping comments and 11,000 public comments. The statement provides an analysis of the proposed action, four additional action alternatives, and a “No Action Alternative.”

The preferred alternative proposed by BLM reduces the Lava Ridge project’s footprint by nearly 50%, from 8,395 acres to 4,492 acres. It also decreases the number of turbines from 400 to 241, removes them from the most sensitive locations, and reduces the maximum height of the turbines from 740 feet to 660 feet.

The simulation rendering of the original (top) and preferred alternative (bottom) plans for Lava Ridge Wind in Idaho (courtesy: BLM)

“The preferred alternative adjusts the corridor configuration such that the closest turbine to the Minidoka National Historic Site would be nine miles away, helping to preserve the visitor experience of the remote nature of the former incarceration site for Japanese Americans during WWII,” reads part of BLM’s statement. “The preferred alternative also reduces potential impacts to sage grouse, large wildlife migration routes and winter concentration areas, cultural resources, Jerome County Airport and agricultural aviation uses, public land ranchers, and adjacent private landowners.”

“Pursuant to the direction in section 441 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-42), the BLM has and will continue to engage with Native American Tribes, state and local government officials, cooperating agencies, stakeholders, and interested parties,” BLM added. “The feedback from these meetings was carefully considered and helped shape the preferred alternative.”

United States Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) was among the first to condemn BLM’s decision.

“Idahoans could not be more clear that they do not support Lava Ridge. Yet, for some reason, the BLM continues to push forward this project that no one in Idaho wants,” said Risch. “This is not over I will continue to fight this unnecessary and ill-begotten project.”

Risch previously demanded clarity from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland multiple times about the agency’s intentions for the project. In October 2023, he led the Congressional Delegation in introducing the Don’t Develop Obstructive Infrastructure on our Terrain (Don’t DO IT) Act, which would require the secretary of the Interior deny any wind or solar energy project proposed on public land that is disapproved of by the State legislature.

“The Federal Government should stop ignoring Idahoans on Lava Ridge,” added fellow Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). “Countless Idahoans have spoken out and continue to speak out against the Lava Ridge Wind Project as they know what is best for their land and livelihoods. This decision by the BLM shows the utmost disdain for the people most affected by this obtrusive and unwanted wind project. I will continue to fight with the people of Idaho in opposition to this project.”

Idaho Governor Brad Little added to the chorus.

“This is the latest example of the Biden Administration’s unsound energy agenda,” he said in a statement. “The BLM is determined to give California electricity from Idaho despite overwhelming opposition from Idahoans and contrary to formal actions by Idaho’s county, state, and federal elected officials, including federal legislation and federal law. I do not agree with BLM’s conclusion that the effects of this extraordinarily complex proposal are ‘not significant.’ It may not matter in Washington, D.C., but it matters to those of us who live here.”

“Our public lands have long been utilized for multiple uses that meet the needs and fulfill the benefits of Idahoans. Ranching, farming, and recreation are a major part of the Magic Valley’s heritage. While domestic energy production is an emerging part of a necessary conversation, the BLM disregarded Idahoans’ input on a project that is in our backyard and, instead, favored Californians energy needs,” added Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke. “Simply put, California will reap the benefits and Idaho will get all the negative impacts. We will know California is serious about green energy when we see wind turbines in Hollywood’s hills.”

The project, proposed by Magic Valley Energy, an affiliate of LS Power, would create up to 700 jobs during its three-year construction and 20 permanent jobs once it becomes operational. Under the preferred alternative (if selected), the project’s construction is estimated to generate $21.9 million in annual tax revenue and contribute $138.9 million in total economic output to local and regional economies. Once in operation, the labor, materials, and taxes are estimated to have a minimum economic output of $7.5 million annually, per BLM.

However, many Idaho legislators remain adamant that the public has no interest in seeing the project constructed. Last Friday, Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced an administrative appeal with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), asking the agency to reconsider its determinations that the Lava Ridge project poses “no hazard” to aviation in the area. Labrador contends the wind turbines would be among the tallest, if not the tallest, in the United States, and would pose “an obvious hazard to local aircraft and airports, and especially to agricultural aviation operations.”

“This final Environment Impact Statement is a slap in the face to Idahoans. Despite widespread opposition at the local, state, and federal levels, the Bureau of Land Management is continuing to recklessly move forward with the Lava Ridge Project,” concludes Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho). “From the start, I have made it clear that I expect the BLM to listen to and incorporate the concerns of those directly affected by the project. I authored language—passed by Congress and signed into law by the President—directing the Department of the Interior to reengage and seek feedback from the stakeholders on alternative plans before moving forward with Lava Ridge. The Department failed to meet the language requirements of that law. The Lava Ridge Project is out-of-touch and has absolutely no place in the Magic Valley. I will continue fighting to ensure that Idahoans’ voices are heard.”

Little, Bedke, Crapo, Risch, and Simpson previously communicated their concerns with the proposal in a letter to the BLM Idaho State Director last year.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Shoshone Field Office has published a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the Federal Register for the final EIS for the Lava Ridge Wind Project. The final EIS does not constitute a decision on the project. The BLM will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD) and will notify the public of the availability of the ROD no sooner than 30 days after the final EIS NOA is published. The final EIS and supporting materials can be accessed here.

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