The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved a significantly reduced version of the Lava Ridge Wind project near Twin Falls, Idaho. Initially proposed with 400 turbines, the project has now been scaled back to 241 turbines, with 231 located on BLM-managed lands and 10 on state-owned property.
The turbines will also be limited to a height of 660 feet, a decision made in response to community concerns, particularly regarding the proximity of the project to the Minidoka National Historic Site, where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. The closest turbine will be placed nine miles away from the historic site to preserve its integrity.
The revised project will disturb approximately 992 acres within a 38,535-acre area of public land across Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka counties. Even in this smaller form, Lava Ridge will still be the largest wind energy project in Idaho, capable of powering 500,000 homes.
The BLM spent considerable time engaging with local stakeholders, including Native American leaders, Japanese American communities, ranchers, and others, to ensure the plan would balance the need for clean energy with the protection of the region’s natural and cultural resources.
In response to concerns about the Minidoka National Historic Site, the BLM has implemented interim measures to protect the area. These include limiting further development and preserving cultural resources on roughly 15,000 acres of public land.
BLM Approves Scaled-Back Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho Amid Local Opposition and Cultural Concerns
These measures will remain in place until further evaluation occurs as part of a broader process to potentially designate the site as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The BLM’s decision also aims to mitigate impacts on local wildlife, including sage grouse, and to protect agricultural operations and private landowners’ interests in the area.
The Lava Ridge project, proposed by Magic Valley Energy, is expected to bring significant economic benefits. During its three-year construction phase, the project is projected to create up to 700 jobs. Once operational, it will provide 20 permanent jobs and generate an estimated $21.9 million annually in tax revenue.
Additionally, the project is expected to contribute $138.9 million in total economic output to the local and regional economies. Once completed, the project is projected to generate at least $7.5 million annually, providing a long-term boost to the local economy.
Despite these economic benefits, the Lava Ridge project has faced strong opposition from Idaho’s elected officials. Congressman Mike Simpson and Senator Jim Risch have both vocally opposed the project, with Risch calling the BLM’s decision a “slap in the face to Idahoans.”
He has pledged to continue fighting against the project, especially with the potential for former President Donald Trump to use an executive order to halt its development. Risch has expressed confidence that, if Trump returns to office, he will act to prevent the project from moving forward.
While opposition to Lava Ridge remains intense, there are indications that attitudes toward clean energy are evolving in Idaho. In October, the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners approved a lease for a solar farm on state-owned land, signaling a shift in the state’s stance on renewable energy projects.
The Arco Wind and Solar project, located near Idaho Falls, will generate over 300 MW of combined wind, solar, and storage capacity. This marks a significant step toward clean energy development in the state, though projects like Lava Ridge continue to face significant resistance from some local lawmakers.
