Lava Ridge

The Bureau of Land Management has approved a major wind energy project on public lands in South Central Idaho. It has faced strong opposition, especially from descendants of Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated during World War II.

The Bureau of Land Management Friday released its final 'Record of Decision' on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Energy project, allowing the previously announced alternative plan with a reduced footprint and fewer turbines to move forward.

The climate reporting outlet Heatmap News has put out a list of the 10 most at-risk major clean energy projects across the country. The Lava Ridge wind project, which would be near Twin Falls, Idaho, was at the top of the list. Part of why it earned the top spot in their view is because of concerns surrounding impacts to the Minidoka National Historic Site, where 13,000 Japanese-Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

The Lava Ridge Wind Project, a proposed large-scale wind farm in southern Idaho, faces yet another challenge as the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation withdraws from the process.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) is continuing to push back against a proposed wind farm northeast of Twin Falls.

The agency’s preferred alternative includes a smaller project footprint, fewer turbines and more height restrictions, which it says respond to the many concerns raised. However, the announcement has been criticized by a number of groups and officials.

The wind farm, located mostly on public lands in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties, could include up to 400 wind turbines, providing more than 1,000 megawatts of power. It's faced fierce opposition in Idaho.

Rep. Mike Simpson said the measure blocks the Lava Ridge Wind Project until the Secretary of the Interior takes certain steps.

The wind farm has generated significant opposition. One objection has been that the power produced on public lands in Idaho would likely be sent out of state.

The Bureau of Land Management could release a final report on the Lava Ridge Wind Project in February.