Footprints of alternatives identified in the draft environmental impact statement

The Lava Ridge Wind Project is a proposed wind energy plant that would be built in the Magic Valley region of Idaho.[1][2] It would have a maximum of 400 wind turbines generating a nameplate capacity of over 1000MW, making it one of the most powerful wind farms in the United States. The project has faced opposition, in part due to turbines and infrastructure potentially being visible from the site of the former Minidoka internment camp.

Background

The Bureau of Land Management manages federal lands in the United States, including the land that the project is being proposed for. Soon after taking office, President Biden signed an executive order which set a goal to increase onshore renewable energy production on Department of the Interior lands.[3]

There are already 170 wind turbines within 30 miles of the project area with a total generating capacity of 280 MW.[4]

There are several other wind and solar projects proposed near the project. A project of similar size and capacity (1,500 MW), Taurus Wind, would be directly west of Lava Ridge. Salmon Falls Wind (800 MW) would be located approximately 30 miles south of Lava Ridge. Three solar projects located just east of US 93 to the north and south of Midpoint Substation would cover 10,000 acres with a combined capacity of over 1,000 MW.[5]

The BLM has been asked by Congress to increase production of renewable energy on federal lands to at least "25 gigawatts of electricity from wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects by not later than 2025."[6] As of May 9, 2023, the BLM has approved projects representing approximately 37% of that goal.[7]

Proposal

Magic Valley Energy, LLC (a subsidiary of LS Power) initially submitted a plan of development to the BLM in February 2020. After revisions, the plan was resubmitted in August 2022. The draft environmental impact statement (EIS) published in 2023 identifies five alternatives (A–E). Alternative A would deny the project, Alternative B is the plan presented by MVE, and Alternatives C, D, and E would have smaller footprints and energy generation (see pictured).[5]

The project is notable for its potential use of very large 6 MW wind turbines with hubs 460 feet (140 m) tall and blades up to 280 feet (85 m) long, reaching a maximum height of 740 feet (230 m) into the air.[5] Groups opposed to the project have negatively commented on the height of these turbines, comparing it to twice the height of the Statue of Liberty [305 feet (93 m) from ground level] and the Space Needle [605 feet (184 m)].[8][9]

Comparison of action alternatives
Alternative Footprint size Wind turbines Estimated generation capacity Estimated annual generation in terawatt hours (TWh) for the project operating at 35%–45% net capacity factor Annual generation in comparison to Alternative A
B 197,474 acres Up to 400 3-MW turbines or up to 349 6-MW turbines 1,200–2,094 MW 3.7–4.7 TWh with all 3-MW turbines

6.4–8.3 TWh with all 6-MW turbines

 -
C 146,389 acres Up to 378 3-MW turbines or up to 259 6-MW turbines 1,134–1,554 MW 3.5–4.5 TWh with all 3-MW turbines

4.8–6.1 TWh with all 6-MW turbines

 5% reduction (3-MW)

26% reduction (6-MW)

D 110,315 acres Up to 280 3-MW turbines or up to 179 6-MW turbines 840–1,074 MW 2.6–3.3 TWh with all 3-MW turbines

3.3–4.2 TWh with all 6-MW turbines

 30% reduction (3-MW)

49% reduction (6-MW)

E 122,444 acres Up to 269 3-MW turbines or up to 194 6-MW turbines 807–1,164 MW 2.5–3.2 TWh with all 3-MW turbines

3.6–4.6 TWh with all 6-MW turbines

 33% reduction (3-MW)

44% reduction (6-MW)

Environmental impact

Annual bird deaths are estimated at an average of 3,240–5,654 for Alternative B.[5]

Current status

The BLM will issue its record of decision after the final EIS which will be released no sooner than fall 2023.[10] The final decision may come in early 2024.[11]

Reactions

Idaho

Some Idaho Republican lawmakers have opposed the project, including US Senator James E. Risch who argued to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland that most of Idaho's in-state energy generation already comes from renewable hydroelectric dams,[7] though the state also must import one third of its electricity.[12] Most of the project's power will be exported through the already approved Southwest Intertie Project (SWIP), also being developed by LS Power, which runs south to Las Vegas and Southern California.[1]

Jerome, Minidoka, and Lincoln counties passed resolutions in opposition to the project in 2022 before the release of the draft EIS. Jerome County Commissioner Charles Howell stated that he "[had] not heard one person in the community support the project."[13] During construction, lands which are currently being used for cattle grazing will be temporarily off limits to ranchers. MVE has stated that the land will be reopened for grazing after construction, pointing to "literally thousands of wind turbines between Texas and North Dakota that are on operating cattle ranches."[14] Residents have also expressed concerns about noise from blasting to construct roads and bases for the towers, as well as use of water resources during construction.[1] Communications and emergency services groups have warned that the towers may disrupt signals and accommodations may be needed.[15]

Supporters say that it will generate tax revenue, which is projected to be around $1 million for Lincoln County alone.[16] Additionally, Idaho currently imports most of its energy from other states, and this project would help Idaho increase its energy independence. John Robin, public lands director of the Idaho Conservation League argued that “although some of the purchasers might be in California, once the electricity is in the grid, it's available for the whole region and ... reduce fossil fuel emissions. We all benefit from that.”[16] If constructed, Idaho Power will likely purchase power to meet its renewable energy goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.[1]

The proposed Taurus Wind project, with a similar size, scope, and area, has also faced local opposition.[17]

Simulated views from Minidoka NHS under Alternative B with 6 MW turbines

Japanese American community

In Alternative B, the nearest turbine would be 1.7 miles from the Minidoka visitor center; in Alternative C it would be 5.5 miles away.[5]: 3–167, 3–182  Opponents from the Japanese American community say that the visual and auditory impact of wind turbines in the background of Minidoka National Historic Site detracts from its somber nature. Robyn Achilles, executive director of Friends of Minidoka compared it to other locations, saying "You wouldn't build a huge wind project over another concentration camp, or Gettysburg, or the Washington Monument." Friends of Minidoka has continued its opposition to the project, including the scaled back alternatives. It is also asking for a 237,000 acre area around Minidoka to be protected as an "area of critical environmental concern."[18][7]

Native American community

Under the Fort Bridger Treaty of 1868, Shoshone people are allowed to hunt off the reservation on "unoccupied lands of the United States so long as game may be found thereon." The Shoshone-Bannock Tribe expressed concerns related to how the project would impact hunting and gathering, as well as the night sky, which would be illuminated by safety lights on the turbines.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Nettleton, Lorien (2023-01-22). "A look at the Lava Ridge proposal". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  2. ↑ "Lava Ridge Wind Project". BLM National NEPA Register.
  3. ↑ Executive Order 14008 (PDF) (Report). January 27, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ Hoen, Ben; Firestone, Jeremy; Rand, Joseph; Elliot, Debi; Hübner, Gundula; Pohl, Johannes; Wiser, Ryan; Lantz, Eric; Haac, T. Ryan; Kaliski, Ken (2019-11-01). "Attitudes of U.S. Wind Turbine Neighbors: Analysis of a Nationwide Survey" (PDF). Energy Policy. 134: 110981. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110981. ISSN 0301-4215. S2CID 261248553.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lava Ridge Wind Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDF) (Report). 2023-01-18. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ 43 U.S.C. § 3004
  7. 1 2 3 Grandoni, Dino (May 9, 2023). "Biden's energy goals run up against painful WWII legacy". The Washington Post. pp. A3.
  8. ↑ "Lava Ridge Wind Project". Friends of Minidoka. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  9. ↑ "Let's Stop The Lava Ridge Wind Project". The Official Site To Stop Lava Ridge. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  10. ↑ "Lava Ridge Wind Project Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). December 9, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ Press, BRAD CARLSON Capital (2023-08-23). "Decision on big Lava Ridge wind project expected in early 2024". Capital Press. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  12. ↑ "Idaho Electricity Profile 2021". EIA. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  13. ↑ Nettleton, Lorien (2022-08-17). "Not big fans: 3 counties affected by Lava Ridge Wind project withhold support". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  14. ↑ Ashton, Hannah (2022-03-09). "Can grazing and renewable energy co-exist?". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  15. ↑ Ashton, Hannah (2022-03-01). "Will new wind project impact emergency communications?". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  16. 1 2 Poonia, Gitanjali (2023-07-10). "The largest wind farm in the country could be built in Idaho — but not without controversy". Deseret News. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  17. ↑ Colley, Bill (2022-07-11). "Gooding County Likely to Reject Taurus Wind Farm". News Radio 1310 AM and 96.1 FM. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  18. ↑ Ashton, Hannah (2021-09-09). "'Find another location.' Public raises concerns about wind project". MagicValley.com. Retrieved 2023-08-13.

42°49′44″N 114°19′16″W / 42.829°N 114.321°W / 42.829; -114.321

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