East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Jim Risch has expressed strong opposition to the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project, criticizing the Biden-Harris administration for allegedly disregarding local opposition in Idaho. During an interview with KTVB News Channel 7, Risch voiced concerns about the project, which aims to build hundreds of wind turbines on public land in Southern Idaho.

Risch stated, "To say that people in the Magic Valley are not too red hot about [Lava Ridge] is the biggest understatement I’ve heard. Nobody down there wants this." He emphasized that the project would affect 100,000 acres of open space cherished by locals and questioned why energy generated would be sent to California instead of being utilized locally.

The senator also criticized the Biden-Harris administration's approach, saying, "If you want to understand the Biden-Harris administration, it’s about two things: it’s about woke, and it’s about green. Everything they do is done in that vein." He accused U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland of ignoring public opinion despite claims otherwise.

Risch mentioned that a private contractor is involved in negotiations for the project and described this as "wrong, just flat wrong." He suggested that future political outcomes could influence the project's fate, stating, "The result of the [presidential] election is going to be determinative of a lot of things on Lava Ridge…If Donald Trump gets elected, the Lava Ridge project is no more."

In response to these concerns, Risch has led efforts within Idaho's delegation to introduce legislation aimed at blocking the project. The proposed development has sparked significant opposition from various groups including state legislators, constitutional officers, local officials, and members of the Japanese American community due to its potential impact on areas like the Minidoka National Historic Site.