The Department of the Interior has announced it will reverse the approval of the Lava Ridge Wind Project in southern Idaho, a project initially approved during the last days of President Joe Biden’s administration. The proposed facility would have produced 1,000 megawatts of wind power and covered nearly 57,447 acres with up to 231 turbines.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the decision follows a review prompted by President Donald J. Trump’s memorandum titled "Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects." The department identified legal deficiencies in the previous approval, noting that unique statutory criteria were not addressed.
"Under President Donald Trump's bold leadership, the Department is putting the brakes on deficient, unreliable energy and putting the American people first," said Secretary Burgum. "By reversing the Biden administration's thoughtless approval of the Lava Ridge Wind Project, we are protecting tens of thousands of acres from harmful wind policy while shielding the interests of rural Idaho communities. This decisive action defends the American taxpayer, safeguards our land, and averts what would have been one of the largest, most irresponsible wind projects in the nation."
Opposition to Lava Ridge has come from multiple levels within Idaho. In January, Governor Brad Little signed an executive order instructing state agencies to work with federal authorities during their review. State agencies reported insufficient consultation during earlier stages of project planning. The Idaho House of Representatives also voted unanimously against proceeding with Lava Ridge.
The Department stated it will continue reviewing leasing and permitting practices for wind energy projects to assess their effects on natural resources and local communities.
