On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) halting the Lava Ridge Wind Project. The EO also temporarily withdraws all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing. The action follows the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval of a scaled-back version of the project in December, after years of study and public input.
The EO states that the 2,500-page Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision for the project is “contrary to the public interest and suffers from legal deficiencies”. While the executive order does not permanently cancel the project, it orders the BLM to “conduct a new, comprehensive analysis” of the project.
In its final decision, the BLM authorized construction of up to 241 wind turbines, a significant reduction from the 400 turbines in the original proposal. The maximum turbine height was also reduced from 740 feet to 660 feet. Additionally, the buffer zone around the Minidoka National Historic Site was increased from two miles to 9.5 miles.
While the original proposal from Magic Valley Energy had the potential to generate 1,200 to 2,000 megawatts (enough to power approximately 500,000 homes), the scaled-back version would generate between 720 and 1,200 megawatts—still sufficient to power up to 325,000 homes.
Despite these adjustments, Trump’s EO was celebrated by Idaho’s congressional delegation, Governor, and Attorney General, who had raised concerns about the project’s impacts on local resources, wildlife, and historic sites.
While the Lava Ridge Project may not be perfect, the need for renewable energy development in Idaho remains critical. Currently, there are no wind or solar projects on public lands in the state, and Idaho imports about 40% of its energy. Transitioning to wind and solar is essential to meet growing electricity demand and replace carbon-emitting coal and gas power plants.
If Lava Ridge is not the right location for wind energy development, it is crucial to work together to identify other suitable sites for renewable energy in Idaho. Opposing all wind and solar projects is not a viable solution for our energy grid or our planet.
Investing in renewable energy is also in the best interest of Idaho’s ratepayers. Wind and solar are cheaper than coal and gas, offering a more affordable option for consumers. Failure to embrace renewable energy could lead to higher electricity bills, along with longer, hotter, drier summers and more severe wildfire seasons.
As the Lava Ridge Wind Project faces further scrutiny, it’s a reminder of the delicate balance between developing critical renewable energy infrastructure and addressing community and environmental concerns. Idaho must find a way to move forward with wind and solar projects to meet its energy needs while protecting its unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
Learn more about how climate change is impacting Idaho, and be alerted when there are opportunities for you to take action, by signing up for ICL Climate Campaign email updates.