East Idaho Times

Today, four bills authored by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) have successfully passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources through a voice vote. These legislative proposals focus on supporting Idaho communities by addressing issues related to the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project, cybersecurity, infrastructure funding, and aquifer recharge.

The bills are designed to impact Idaho significantly. They aim to delay the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project, enhance cybersecurity measures, provide access to existing aging infrastructure funds, and amend laws to facilitate aquifer recharge.

Senator Risch expressed gratitude towards his colleagues: “I appreciate Chairman Joe Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, and my colleagues for passing these important bills benefiting the State of Idaho.” He emphasized that the opposition against Lava Ridge is strong within Idaho and among the Japanese American community. Risch stated that his bill aims to halt the project's progress until its impacts on the Minidoka National Historic Site and other resources are fully assessed.

S. 4936, introduced by Senator Risch, seeks to prevent the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project until a Government Accountability Office study evaluates its impact on Minidoka National Historic Site—a site where Alaska Natives and Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. The bill has received endorsements from various groups representing survivors and descendants of Minidoka.

Risch also highlighted Idaho's natural resources: “The Gem State has tremendous natural resources,” he said. “These additional pieces of legislation will continue our leadership in cybersecurity, repair critical water infrastructure, and enable aquifer recharge.”

Other notable bills include S. 914, co-introduced with Senator Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), which aims to improve information sharing about cybersecurity threats across America's energy sector; S. 2160 focuses on allowing Bureau of Reclamation funds for urban canal repairs; S. 4999 intends to correct interpretations regarding aquifer recharge laws; and S. 254 aims at empowering local economic development by retaining ski area permitting fees locally.