WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement in response to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Final Record of Decision announcement on the Lava Ridge Wind Project.

“From the beginning, I have made it abundantly clear that the Lava Ridge Wind Project is completely out of touch with the values and needs of our state,” said Rep. Simpson. “Despite having near-unanimous opposition in Idaho, the Biden Administration and the Bureau of Land Management have continued to ignore Idahoans concerns. I have taken numerous steps along the way to block this project, most recently authoring language to block this project's final Environmental Impact Statement in the FY25 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which passed the House in September. I remain committed to standing with the people of Idaho and working with the Trump administration on day one to disregard this project.”

Rep. Simpson’s Previous Actions Against the Lava Ridge Wind Project 

Rep. Simpson has been a strong vocal opponent of the Lava Ridge Wind Project and most recently authored language that blocked the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Lava Ridge Wind Project.

Rep Simpson has also tried to block the project by authoring language—passed by Congress and signed into law by the President—directing the Department of the Interior to reengage and seek feedback from the stakeholders on alternative plans before moving forward with Lava Ridge. The Department failed to meet the language requirements of that law.

Additionally, 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. Rep. Simpson and the Idaho Delegation introduced legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Interior from approving a wind or solar project on public lands if the Legislature in the respective state has passed a resolution of disapproval. Rep. Simpson, the Idaho Delegation, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and Lt. Governor Scott Bedke sent a letter to the Idaho State Director for the BLM. They expressed concerns about the proposed Lava Ridge wind farm in south-central Idaho.