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.
150 people reject Magic Valley, ID wind turbine proposal
A foul wind blew across the Magic Valley on Thursday. An even fouler mood descended on Jerome. An overflow crowd objected to the Lava Ridge Wind Project. It could become the largest wind energy project in the world. The electricity generated would be shipped to Clark County, Nevada, and Southern California. Those who would find turbines in their backyards would get a spoiled landscape. Public input may have little impact. The federal bureaucrats making the decision don’t need your votes. . . . Complete story »
Meeting planned for those in opposition to Lava Ridge Wind Project
The Lava Ridge Wind Project has drummed up some controversy across southern Idaho as the plan for 400 wind turbines across the region is facing some opposition. Now, Thursday night in Jerome, those who want to have their voices heard can meet to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed energy plan. The meeting will touch on topics like the size and location of the project, how it impacts the community and how the group can act to have . . . Complete story »
Wind farm seen as threat to Minidoka historic site in Idaho
The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in America for 2022 this week, and Idaho’s Minidoka National Historic Site is on the list. The annual list highlights places of historical and cultural importance in the U.S. that the national trust sees as threatened by various issues, including climate change, development and neglect. This year’s theme, according to the trust, focuses on “sites of injustice and activism, and places of creative expression.” The Minidoka site, . . . Complete story »
Minidoka National Historic Site on endangered places list
JEROME, Idaho – 80 years ago, the first of nearly 13,000 Asian-Americans were sent to the Minidoka Internment Camp in southcentral Idaho. It was one of 10 across the United States opened to “relocate” Asian-Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II. On Wednesday, the Minidoka National Historic Site was named one of the 11 most-endangered historic places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It did not appear on the list because of its age . . . Complete story »
Minidoka National Historic Site makes annual list of nation’s most endangered historic places
The Minidoka National Historic Site is one of the eleven most endangered historic places in the country, according to an annual list released by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Wednesday. The reason for Minidoka’s inclusion is a large proposed wind farm nearby – the Lava Ridge Wind Project – which the non profit Friends of Minidoka said will permanently change the landscape that conveys the isolating experience of being incarcerated there. As it’s proposed now, most of the 400 . . . Complete story »
Wind project planned for Twin Falls County
A company developing a wind farm project in the Magic Valley announced this week a second project for Twin Falls County. Magic Valley Energy LLC, part of LS Power, announced the beginning planning phase for the Salmon Falls Wind Energy Project for southern Twin Falls County. This is the second wind energy project the company is working on in addition to the Lava Wind Energy Project near Shoshone, Dietrich, and the Hunt area. Magic Valley Energy said it is in . . . Complete story »
Magic Valley Energy announces 2nd wind project
TWIN FALLS – Magic Valley Energy, an affiliate of LS Power, will be adding to its renewable energy portfolio in southern Idaho. The company announced Monday it plans to develop a second wind-energy project, named the Salmon Falls Wind Project, in rural Twin Falls County. “The need for renewable energy across the West continues to grow,” project director Luke Papez said in a statement. “Idaho has been a longstanding leader in the generation of clean energy and the Salmon Falls project . . . Complete story »
Magic Valley wind project moves forward, BLM considers alternatives
As plans for a large Magic Valley wind farm move forward, officials are balancing renewable energy production and cultural and environmental impacts. The Lava Ridge Wind Project would include about 400 turbines, mostly on Bureau of Land Management land in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. The BLM is assessing developer Magic Valley Energy’s proposal. This week, the agency shared some alternative turbine arrangements based on public comments it received during the scoping period last fall. The Biden Administration is pressing . . . Complete story »
Highway 30 from Montpelier to Wyoming will be closed Friday for cleanup of wrecked semi carrying wind turbine blade
MONTPELIER – Highway 30 from Montpelier to the Wyoming border will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday to finish the cleanup of a wrecked semi carrying a massive wind turbine blade, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. The semi transporting the blade crashed on Highway 30 in the Border Summit area on Monday when the rear wheels of the trailer caught the soft shoulder of the road, causing the semi to leave the roadway and overturn, according to . . . Complete story »
Friends of Minidoka voices concerns over Lava Ridge Wind Project
Changes could be on the horizon for the Lava Ridge Wind Project. One group is voicing concerns about the impact the 400 wind turbines could have on their historic site. The Friends of Minidoka, a group that represents Minidoka National Historic site in Jerome County, are pleading with LS Power to modify the location of their wind project which currently lands in part, on the relocation camp’s footprint. “Minidoka really is sacred ground for those who were incarcerated there,” said . . . Complete story »
