The Trump administration has reversed approval of Idaho’s Lava Ridge Wind Project
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has reversed federal approval for the Lava Ridge Wind Project in southern Idaho, a large-scale renewable energy initiative that was greenlit during the Biden administration.
In a statement Wednesday, the Interior Department called the project’s prior approval “misguided” and said the decision to revoke it stems from legal deficiencies and land-use concerns, though the department did not release specific procedural details.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the project conflicted with the administration’s energy priorities.
“Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. Energy Dominance while weighing heavily on the taxpayer and the environment,” Burgum said.
The decision aligns with the administration’s policy to evaluate renewable energy proposals based on land impact and reliability, which is expected to limit new large-scale wind and solar projects.
About the Lava Ridge Wind Project
- Planned location: Northeast of Twin Falls, Idaho
- Scope: Up to 231 wind turbines
- Potential output: Could power approximately 500,000 homes
The project had been a central piece of the Biden administration’s clean energy agenda but faced immediate scrutiny under President Trump, who signed a Day 1 executive order directing federal agencies to pause and review pending wind and solar developments.
Policy Context
The move is part of a broader shift away from renewable energy under Trump’s second term:
- Renewable setbacks: Scaling back tax credits and slowing approvals for solar and wind projects.
- Fossil fuel push: Fast-tracking coal, oil, and gas projects with shortened environmental reviews.
The Lava Ridge decision reflects the administration’s continued preference for fossil fuels over large renewable installations and signals likely delays or cancellations for similar projects on federal land.
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