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Wind Power News: Idaho
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Idaho’s political leadership weighs in on Magic Valley wind project
Several of Idaho’s federal and state politicians are weighing in on a wind farm proposal in the Magic Valley that’s currently moving through an environmental review. Earlier this week, Gov. Brad Little, Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo wrote a letter to the Bureau of Land Management’s Idaho State Director Karen Kelleher voicing their concerns over the Lava Ridge Wind Project. It would include up to 400 turbines on BLM land . . . Complete story »
We are researching Lava Ridge Wind Project to form an opinion. Are you?
The Lava Ridge Wind Project would change the landscape of south-central Idaho. Arguably, forever. This isn’t us embellishing the facts, or speaking in hyperbole. It would be the reality of blasting into the Earth to stand up as many as 400 wind turbines across up to 114 square miles between Twin Falls and Shoshone that would, in many cases, be taller than even the Space Needle that serves as the centerpiece of the Seattle skyline. The gigantic, mostly steel structures . . . Complete story »
County asks BLM for management plan update before considering more wind farms
Twin Falls – A recent surge in wind and solar energy mega-projects proposed on public lands in Idaho has Twin Falls County commissioners wondering whether a 40-year-old management plan adequately addresses this new potential use of public lands. On Monday, the Twin Falls County Board of Commissioners voted to send a letter to the Bureau of Land Management asking the agency to update the 1982 Management Framework Plan for Twin Falls County. The request was one they hope will provide more . . . Complete story »
Lava Ridge wind power proposal concerns ranchers, farmers in south-central Idaho
Loss of grazing land, more traffic and an impact on water availability are among the concerns Shoshone-area rancher John Arkoosh and his neighbors have about Lava Ridge, a sprawling wind project proposed in south-central Idaho. It would impact the Star Lake Allotment, where his family and other ranching families have done “a ton of work on water development, seeding development and fencing, and have maintained water lines,” he said. Star Lake, the primary allotment for the Arkoosh family and a . . . Complete story »
Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits could reshape Idaho’s energy landscape
Almost all utilities across the United States and the rest of the world operate their energy infrastructure on a real-time basis – meaning people are monitoring an energy grid at all times to respond to weather events and customer demand. That on-demand status makes it difficult to switch to renewable energy sources after the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing. “It’s the biggest misunderstanding in our business and with our customers, is people think we store energy, and we . . . Complete story »
Not big fans: 3 counties affected by Lava Ridge Wind project withhold support
SHOSHONE – Two counties independently passed resolutions on Monday to not support the proposed construction of up to 400 wind turbines on 73,000 acres of public land in south-central Idaho. With the resolutions, Lincoln and Minidoka counties join Jerome County, whose commissioners passed a similar resolution on July 25. “The commissioners share the concerns of Lincoln County citizens and therefore the Board of Commissioners is opposed to the project,” the Lincoln County resolution said. On the same day, Minidoka County Commission . . . Complete story »
Proposed project aims to build up to 115 wind turbines west of Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS – A company hoping to build a wind farm on public and private land between Arco and Idaho Falls is getting mixed reactions from members of the community. Massachusetts-based Arco Wind is the project applicant. The project plans to encompass about 32,000 acres in Bingham and Bonneville counties, beginning 13 miles west of Idaho Falls and extending across both sides of U.S. Highway 20 to the edge of the INL near East Butte. Mark Green, the development director . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine proposal relies on incomplete information
I have lived in southern Idaho all my life and the volcanic landscape, native wildlife and ancient archaeological sites of the region are very important to me. A proposal by a Massachusetts-based company for a 100-turbine wind development would alter the familiar landscape of my home forever. The project would begin 13 miles from Idaho Falls and extend west on both sides of Highway 20 to within a mile of East Butte. Turbines would be 250 feet taller than those . . . Complete story »
Minidoka commissioners go on record opposing the Lava Ridge Wind Project
RUPERT – Citing concerns that a large-scale wind energy project proposed for public lands would have a negative impact on their rural county, the Minidoka County Commission passed a resolution on Monday in opposition to the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project. “The Board of County Commissioners believes this project would disturb the rural character of Minidoka County and does not support the Lava Ridge Wind Project,” the resolution said. The Lava Ridge Wind Project is a project of LS Power, a . . . Complete story »
Jerome County Commissioners tell the wind farm to blow away
Jerome County Commissioners have issued an emphatic no! They jointly issued a unanimous document stating their opposition to the Lava Ridge Wind Project. This is similar to a document issued by their counterparts in Twin Falls County opposing the Salmon Falls Wind project. The Lava Ridge project will stretch across Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties. It would scar the horizon behind the Hunt Camp historic site, home to thousands of internees of Japanese ancestry during World War Two. The wind . . . Complete story »
