Idaho Governor Brad Little expresses opposition to the wind farm project

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – A wind farm project in Idaho’s Magic Valley is struggling with high winds, and Gov. Brad Little is voicing his opposition to the clean energy project.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed that the Lava Ridge wind project will help the Gem State become more energy independent, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate about 700 jobs over the three-year construction period. Little says the costs outweigh the benefits.

“This bill has met with near-unanimous opposition in Idaho, and yet the administration seems determined to move it forward,” Little said Tuesday.

Opposition to the project falls into two main camps. Some critics say the project could obstruct airspace, while others cite the proposed wind farm field’s proximity to a World War II-era Japanese-American concentration camp.

Both the U.S. congressman from Idaho and both U.S. senators expressed their opposition to the measure, citing the importance of protecting rural life in Idaho and the concerns expressed by the Minidoka National Historic Site.

“The Biden administration must be held accountable. He cannot continue to unilaterally push renewable energy projects without local support,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson (R).

Opposition to renewable energy projects has a long political history in Idaho, especially wind projects. Large-scale solar and wind projects have been completely banned in Bannock County,

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management tried to compromise with Idaho’s congressmen and senators by proposing a scaled-down version of the wind farm on June 11, but it still faced opposition from Little and appears to have failed with critics.

It is unclear whether the federal government will proceed with the project, which is located on federal land and does not technically require state approval, or whether a different version of the project will be presented to policymakers.