Idaho Congress members move to make Biden admin follow state requests to keep out wind, solar farms

Two Republican members of the Idaho congressional delegation are proposing legislation to give states more authority to block wind and solar projects on federal land within their borders.

Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Mike Simpson introduced companion bills Wednesday that would require the Interior Department to deny wind and solar projects on federal land when a state legislature rejects the projects.

The bills are in response to the Lava Ridge Wind Project, a proposed 400-turbine wind farm spread over 146,000 in south-central Idaho.

The project received extensive opposition from state residents, and the Idaho legislature unanimously adopted a resolution in March opposing the project.

The Risch bill – Don’t Develop Obstructive Infrastructure – is being co-sponsored by fellow GOP Sen. Mike Crapo. And Simpson's companion bill is being co-sponsored by fellow GOP congressman Russ Fulcher.

Risch questioned Interior Secretary Deb Halaand about the project during aCapitol Hill hearing in May.

“The Don’t DO IT Act will empower Idaho and other states to prevent the federal government from implementing unwanted, obstructive, and misaligned wind and solar energy projects on public land, like Lava Ridge,” he also said in a statement.

Said Simpson: “Throughout the last year, I have taken significant actions in opposing this project and advocating for Idaho’s best interests."

Renewable energy projects have faced growing local opposition in the past several years. The Illinois legislature adopted a law that prohibits local jurisdictions from banning such projects.