BLM gives more time for comments on 1-GW wind project in Idaho

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM)is extending the public comment period for the 1-GW Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project in Idaho by an additional 30 days, the government agency said on Tuesday.

The 30-day extension gives the public more time to study the project’s draft environmental impact statement (EIS) and make comments.

“We are hopeful this extra time will alleviate concerns about being able to fully digest the document to allow for robust public feedback,” said BLM Twin Falls district manager Mike Courtney.

Lava Ridge is a proposal by Magic Valley Energy LLC, an affiliate of energy infrastructure investor LS Power. The project envisages the installation of up to 400 wind turbines across a 84,000-acre (34,000-ha) site of BLM-managed public lands in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. The installation of seven substations, collector and transmission lines and a battery storage facility is also part of the scheme.

The BLM submitted Lava Ridge’s draft EIS to the Environmental Protection Agency on January 13, 2023. A public comment period for 60 days was initiated on January 20 when the draft EIS’ notice of availability was published in the Federal Register.

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