Lava Ridge Wind Project

The Lava Ridge Wind Project is a proposed wind energy plant to be built in the Magic Valley region of Idaho. It would have a maximum of 400 wind turbines generating a nameplate capacity of over 1000 MW, making it one of the most powerful wind farms in the United States. The project has faced opposition, in part due to turbines and infrastructure potentially being visible from the site of the former Minidoka internment camp. On June 6, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management issued their final environmental impact statement, outlining their preferred alternative, which would reduce the project's footprint by approximately 50% compared to the original proposal.

Background
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages federal lands in the United States, including the land that the project is being proposed for. Soon after taking office, President Biden signed an executive order which set a goal to increase onshore renewable energy production on Department of the Interior lands.

The BLM has been asked by Congress to increase production of renewable energy on federal lands to at least "25 gigawatts of electricity from wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects by not later than 2025." By May 9, 2023, the BLM approved projects representing approximately 37% of that goal, and by April 11, 2024, the BLM had surpassed their goal more than a year early.

There are already 170 wind turbines within 30 miles of the project area with a total generating capacity of 280 MW. Additionally, there are several other wind and solar projects proposed near the project. A project of similar size and capacity (1,500 MW), Taurus Wind, would be directly west of Lava Ridge. Salmon Falls Wind (800 MW) would be located approximately 30 miles south of Lava Ridge. Three solar projects located just east of US 93 to the north and south of Midpoint Substation would cover 10,000 acres with a combined capacity of over 1,000 MW.

Proposal
Magic Valley Energy, LLC (a subsidiary of LS Power) initially submitted a plan of development to the BLM in February 2020. After revisions, the plan was resubmitted in August 2022. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) published in 2023 identifies five alternatives (A–E). Alternative A would deny the project, Alternative B is the plan presented by MVE, and Alternatives C, D, and E would have smaller footprints and energy generation (see pictured).

The project is notable for its potential use of very large 6 MW wind turbines with hubs 460 ft tall and blades up to 280 ft long, reaching a maximum height of 740 ft into the air. Groups opposed to the project have negatively commented on the height of these turbines, comparing it to twice the height of the Statue of Liberty [305 ft from ground level] and the Space Needle [605 ft].

Final EIS
The final environmental impact statement outlined the BLM's preferred alternative, which reduced the siting corridors from 84,051 acres to 44,758 acres. The maximum turbine size was reduced from 6 MW to 5 MW (limited at 660 ft tall), and the maximum number of turbines was reduced from 400 to 241. The maximum estimated generating capacity was reduced from 2,094 MW to 1,205 MW. The estimated annual generation was reduced from 6.4-8.3 TWh with all 6-MW turbines to 3.7-4.8 TWh with all 5-MW turbines.

Environmental impact
Annual bird deaths are estimated at an average of 3,240–5,654 for Alternative B.

Current status
The BLM will issue its final record of decision at least 30 days after the final EIS was published on June 6, 2024. Reactions to the Final EIS were mostly consistent existing concerns from the various stakeholders.

Idaho
Some Idaho Republican lawmakers have opposed the project, including US Senator James E. Risch who argued to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland that most of Idaho's in-state energy generation already comes from renewable hydroelectric dams, though the state also must import one third of its electricity. Most of the project's power will be exported through the already approved Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP), also being developed by LS Power, which runs south to Las Vegas and Southern California.

Jerome, Minidoka, and Lincoln counties passed resolutions in opposition to the project in 2022 before the release of the draft EIS. Jerome County Commissioner Charles Howell stated that he "[had] not heard one person in the community support the project." During construction, lands which are currently being used for cattle grazing will be temporarily off limits to ranchers. MVE has stated that the land will be reopened for grazing after construction, pointing to "literally thousands of wind turbines between Texas and North Dakota that are on operating cattle ranches." Residents have also expressed concerns about noise from blasting to construct roads and bases for the towers, as well as use of water resources during construction. Communications and emergency services groups have warned that the towers may disrupt signals and accommodations may be needed.

Supporters say that it will generate tax revenue, which is projected to be around $1 million for Lincoln County alone. Additionally, Idaho currently imports most of its energy from other states, and this project would help Idaho increase its energy independence. John Robin, public lands director of the Idaho Conservation League argued that “although some of the purchasers might be in California, once the electricity is in the grid, it's available for the whole region and ... reduce fossil fuel emissions. We all benefit from that.” If constructed, Idaho Power will likely purchase power to meet its renewable energy goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.

The proposed Taurus Wind project, with a similar size, scope, and area, has also faced local opposition.

Japanese American community
In Alternative B, the nearest turbine would be 1.7 miles from the Minidoka visitor center; in Alternative C it would be 5.5 miles away. Opponents from the Japanese American community say that the visual and auditory impact of wind turbines in the background of Minidoka National Historic Site detracts from its somber nature. Robyn Achilles, executive director of Friends of Minidoka compared it to other locations, saying "You wouldn't build a huge wind project over another concentration camp, or Gettysburg, or the Washington Monument." Friends of Minidoka has continued its opposition to the project, including the scaled back alternatives. It is also asking for a 237,000 acre area around Minidoka to be protected as an "area of critical environmental concern."

The BLM's preferred siting alternative reduced the original project area by 50% to ensure all wind turbines would be at least 9 miles from Minidoka National Historic Site. Along with the turbine height limit, this would substantially reduce visual impact.

Native American community
Under the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868, Shoshone people are allowed to hunt off the reservation on "unoccupied lands of the United States so long as game may be found thereon." The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe expressed concerns related to how the project would impact hunting and gathering, as well as the night sky, which would be illuminated by safety lights on the turbines.