East Idaho Times

This week, the United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, authored language that blocks the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project.

“Last month’s final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project was a slap in the face to Idahoans,” said Rep. Simpson. “Despite numerous concerns voiced by Congress and the Magic Valley, the Biden administration and the Bureau of Land Management continue to ignore Idahoans and ram through renewable energy projects that lack local support. From the beginning, I have made it clear that the Lava Ridge Wind Project is out-of-touch and has no place in our state. As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee—which has jurisdiction over the BLM—I remain committed to fighting with the people of Idaho in opposition to this project.”

The text of Rep. Simpson’s provision states: "The final environmental impact statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project described in the notice of availability issued by the Bureau of Land Management and titled ‘Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties, ID’ (89 Fed. Reg. 48681 (June 7, 2024)) shall have no force or effect."

Rep. Simpson has been a strong vocal opponent of the Lava Ridge Wind Project and most recently tried to block it by authoring language—passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden—directing the Department of the Interior to reengage and seek feedback from stakeholders on alternative plans before moving forward with Lava Ridge. The Department failed to meet those requirements.

Rep. Simpson’s provision language is part of the Fiscal Year 2025 funding package for the Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Agencies. The measure was approved with a vote of 210-205. This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.

A summary of this bill is available here.