Stop Lava Ridge

06/07/2024

Little, Bedke, Crapo, Risch, Simpson comment on BLM decision on massive Lava Ridge wind farm Idaho Office of the Governor sent this bulletin at 06/06/2024 04:30 PM MDT View as webpage / Share Office of Governor Brad Little Office of Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke Office of U.S. Senator Mike Crapo O...

03/10/2024

Grateful for Mike Simpson's leadership to secure a legislative rider to bar BLM from using appropriated funds during the remainder of federal fiscal year 2024 to issue a permit for Lava Ridge. President Biden signed the annual Interior appropriations bill into law.

Rep. Mike Simpson 's legislative rider (Sec. 441) in the Interior appropriations bill would bar BLM from using appropriated funds in Fiscal Year 2024 (which runs through Sept. 30, 2024) to grant a right-of-way permit for the Lava Ridge wind project, unless or until certain conditions are met including: analyze action alternatives designed to reduce impacts, consult with local officials and stakeholders, seek feedback regarding action alternatives, provide periodic reports to the Appropriations Committees and provide a briefing to the Committees. Here is the text of the law:

(a) None of the funds made available by this Act may be obligated or expended for the purpose of granting, issuing, or renewing a right-of-way under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 12 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761) for the Lava Ridge Wind Project, unless or until the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management, has analyzed, in consultation with local elected officials and stakeholders, action alternatives designed to reduce impacts to wildlife, cultural resources, transportation, hunting, wetlands and the connected surface and ground waters. The Secretary shall complete such consultations, and seek feedback regarding action alternatives, not later than September 30, 2024, and no funds made available in this Act shall be used for granting, issuing, or renewing a right of-way under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761) for the Lava Ridge Wind Project while such consultations and efforts are ongoing.
(b) Prior to granting, issuing, or renewing a right of-way under section 501 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761) for the Lava Ridge Wind Project, the Secretary shall periodically report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the status of consultations required under subsection (a) and, once such consultations are complete, provide a briefing to the Committees on the action alternatives and the feedback of local elected officials and stakeholders.

03/09/2024

Senate passes first government funding package to avoid shutdown

By Caitlin Yilek
Updated on: March 9, 2024 / 1:26 PM EST / CBS News

Washington — The Senate passed a six-bill package to fund parts of the federal government through September, narrowly avoiding a partial shutdown.

The upper chamber voted 75 to 22, sending the bill to President Biden's desk before a midnight deadline. Mr. Biden signed the bill into law Saturday.

Republicans' demands for amendment votes on immigration-related and other measures slowed its passage and threatened to push the final vote to Saturday, after funding lapsed.

"We have good news for the country," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said ahead of vote. "We will keep important programs funded for moms and kids, for veterans, for the environment, for housing and so much more. Because both sides cooperated today, we've taken a major step towards our goal of fully funding the government. Today's bipartisan agreement gives us momentum and space to finish the remaining appropriation bills by March 22."

This has a clause in that the BLM Can NOT spend money on Lava Ridge

07/24/2023

Rep. Simpson Works to Ensure Idahoans Aren’t Trampled by Lava Ridge Wind Project
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Washington, July 19, 2023
WASHINGTON— Today, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to advance the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson – Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee – secured a provision related to onshore wind projects in Idaho requiring the Comptroller General to produce a report identifying potential adverse effects of wind energy development. This provision is a result of the Lava Ridge Wind Project proposal.

“Idahoans expect more out of the use of our public lands,” said Rep. Simpson. “Affected farmers, tribes, and the Japanese American community have raised serious concerns, and it’s clear the project is predominantly opposed. The out-of-touch Lava Ridge Wind Project has no place in our state, and I’m proud to fight for the interests of Idahoans.”

Rep. Simpson has been a strong vocal opponent of the Lava Ridge Wind Project and has advocated for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to listen to Idahoans’ concerns. Rep. Simpson questioned BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning, on the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project on public lands in Magic Valley, Idaho, and if the pressure to increase renewable energy trumps the impacts on species and cultural sites. Most recently, Rep. Simpson, and the Idaho Delegation, pressed Director Stone-Manning regarding her department’s efforts to change the multiple-use approach of federal land management and the Biden administration’s failure to hold in-person public meetings in Idaho regarding this proposed rule.

The Lava Ridge Wind Turbine Project is a proposal from LS Power and Magic Valley Energy, LLC, to construct and operate a 400-turbine wind energy generating facility on BLM land in Lincoln, Minidoka, and Jerome counties. Earlier this year, the BLM proposed two preferred alternatives as part of its Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Rep. Simpson’s provision language is part of the Fiscal Year 2024 funding package for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Agencies.

This funding package will now go to the full floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.

05/03/2023

Biden's renewable energy goals are facing a wave of opposition, including from survivors and descendents of a WWII Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho.

05/03/2023

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/05/03/biden-wind-farm-opposition/

Biden's renewable energy goals are facing a wave of opposition, including from survivors and descendents of a WWII Japanese incarceration camp in Idaho.

04/18/2023

The College of Southern Idaho’s Veterinary Technology Building hosted Governor Brad Little and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke last week.

04/17/2023

04/17/2023

TWIN FALLS (AP) — Several hundred people rallied against plans for a large-scale wind energy project in southern Idaho, hoping to convince federal agencies to reject the proposal by Magic Valley Energy. “I hope that this is enough to put a plug in this and stop these projects from desecrating ou...