| Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
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.
Magic Valley commissioners say residents are opposed to proposed wind farms
County commissioners in the Magic Valley are increasing their attention to proposed wind farms in their communities. Commissioners in Lincoln, Jerome and Minidoka counties said they are hearing an abundance of negative feedback from constituents about the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project that could bring about 400 turbines to the region. “Most of those comments have come from people who live in the area, or hunt in the area, or graze in the area, or have some times to it, . . . Complete story »
Commissioners oppose Salmon Falls Wind Project
TWIN FALLS – Citing feedback from the community that was primarily opposed to a proposed wind farm near Hollister, the Board of County Commissioners on Thursday passed a resolution stating they do not support the Salmon Falls Wind Project. The nonbinding resolution states that the board “believes this project would disturb the rural character of Twin Falls County.” Commissioner Jack Johnson said the resolution is not bound by law and also added that the measure doesn’t mean commissioners wouldn’t change their . . . Complete story »
The debate begins: The Lava Ridge Wind Project would double the amount of wind energy produced in Idaho. But at what cost?
For the past two years, the Lava Ridge Wind project has gathered fans and skeptics. Proposed by Magic Valley Energy, a subsidiary of LS Power, the up to 400-turbine project is projected to generate 1,000 megawatts, enough energy to power 300,000 homes. On the other hand, the project has raised concerns from stakeholders regarding cultural resources, wildlife safety, grazing rights and more. “The public attendance and questions only go to improve the process in my mind,” said Luke Papez, MVE . . . Complete story »
Opposition is mounting against the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho’s Magic Valley
A few renewable energy projects proposed on public land in the Magic Valley could be boons to the clean energy targets of the Biden Administration and several Western states—but local residents are banding together in opposition. The wind project called Lava Ridge is at the forefront, both because it’s the biggest, with up to 400 turbines that would add more than 1,000 megawatts of power, and because it’s the furthest along in the approval process. Turbines could be spinning by . . . Complete story »
Major clean energy project planned for the Magic Valley, but not everyone wants it
TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Two major wind turbine projects are planned for the Magic Valley, bringing the possibility of generating large amounts of clean energy – but not everyone wants the projects in Twin Falls. The Lava Ridge and Salmon Falls projects are two large scale energy projects that will be located north and south of Twin Falls with a potential to provide close to 1,800 or more megawatts of energy. The projects output adds tons of clean energy. But the problem? . . . Complete story »
Twin Falls County Commissioners host meeting over controversial wind turbines
The two proposed wind turbine projects in southern Idaho, the Salmon Falls and Lava Ridge Wind proposals have created controversy in the region. On Tuesday night, the Twin Falls County Commissioners hosted a special meeting about the Salmon Falls wind proposal, which is planned for Twin Falls County BLM land. At the meeting, hundreds of area residents who are against the proposal attended and spoke with the commissioners about the reasons they are against the plan, which include environmental and . . . Complete story »
Which way the wind blows: Company holds open house for Salmon Falls Wind project
TWIN FALLS – The company behind the Lava Ridge Wind Project spent this week discussing their second proposed wind farm in south-central Idaho, the Salmon Falls Wind Project. Magic Valley Energy and its parent company LS Power held a series of open houses this week to bring information and outreach to communities regarding their proposed Salmon Falls Wind project, which would be located in southern Twin Falls County near Hollister. The project, still in its early phases, has filed an application . . . Complete story »
Opposition to Idaho wind farms fierce and growing
America is said to be a deeply divided country. Want to unite your neighbors? Propose a wind farm in their backyard. I’m telling you, I’ve been on-air in southern Idaho for 7 and a half years and I’ve never seen anything like the opposition to the three proposed turbine farms that would occupy a couple of hundred thousand acres. Joan Hurlock is a concerned citizen of Buhl. The retired Capitol Police Officer came to Idaho from Washington to live out . . . Complete story »
Massive water, wind and solar project in Idaho advances
“There are several complex and likely controversial issues associated with the project including potential effects on water quantity and availability, water quality in the reservoir, land use and recreation around the project site, and potential effects to federally listed bull trout and other fish and wildlife,” the commission wrote. Entities requesting the commission use the more complex licensing requirement include the Idaho Conservation League, U.S. Forest Service, city of Boise, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Water Resources, the Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation and S Bar Ranch, a privately held game reserve on the Camas Prairie with a goal of providing habitat for elk, deer and sage grouse. Complete story »
Lincoln County’s Hubert opposes Lava Ridge
SHOSHONE – Lincoln County Commissioner Roy Hubert has publicly stated he is against Lava Ridge. “I want you to know that I’m 100% against the Lava Ridge project,” Hubert said Monday. “I want that as part of the minutes today, that I am opposed to it in every way. I’ve done my research.” Hubert’s statement came during a discussion at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Commission. Hubert said he would like the commission to present a resolution on whether . . . Complete story »
