Risch Bill to Delay Lava Ridge Passes Energy Committee with Bipartisan Support. Risch bills to enhance cyber security, repair water infrastructure, and enhance aquifer recharge also advance (11/19/24, updated 11/22/24)
“The message is clear. Do not approve such a controversial and unwanted project in the final days of this administration. Publishing a favorable Record of Decision at this point would be irresponsible and reprehensible,” the senators wrote.
“We urge you to seriously consider the rejection of this project by Idahoans, the Japanese American community, and now the committee of jurisdiction in the United States Senate. Do not move forward with Lava Ridge.”
~Excerpt from Letter to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone Manning demanding the agency reject the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project
Idaho is at the center of four bills, which would delay the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project, enhance cyber security, expand access to existing aging infrastructure funds, and correct existing law to enable aquifer recharge. Four bills were authored or co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho).
S. 4936 Lava Ridge (Risch):Would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project until a GAO study is conducted to analyze the project’s impact on the Minidoka National Historic Site (most Idahoans have expressed STRONG objections to the Lava Ridge project, for many reasons, including its effect on Minidoka).
Risch, Crapo: Do Not Move Forward with Lava Ridge:
S. 914 The Energy Threat Analysis Center Establishment Act (Manchin): Would improve information sharing regarding cyber security prevention across America’s energy sector in both industry and government.
S. 2160 The Urban Canal Modernization Act (Risch): Would allow the Bureau of Reclamation aging infrastructure funding to help address repairs for urban canals with extraordinary maintenance issues.
S. 4999 Aquifer Recharge (Risch). This bill would correct the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) interpretation of existing law to enable aquifer recharge.
S. 254 Ski Area Permitting (co-sponsor Risch): Would ensure the majority of annual fees from ski area permitting are retained locally and used to support recreation in nearby national forests.
