Scoping period extended for 1-GW wind project in Idaho

The US federal government has given more time to the public to comment on a proposal by an affiliate of energy infrastructure investor LS Power that calls for the construction of a 1-GW wind park in Idaho.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced on Monday that it has extended the public scoping period on the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project by 30 days and will accept public input by October 20, 2021. The wider feedback will enable it to address concerns related to the potential impacts of the proposed development and mitigation measures. The scheme is currently “at the very early stage of the analysis process,” the agency said.

LS Power’s affiliate Magic Valley Energy LLC has proposed to install up to 400 wind turbines across a 73,000-acre (29,500-ha) site of BLM-managed public lands in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. The project also involves the construction of seven substations, collector and transmission lines and a battery storage facility.

BLM held two virtual public scoping meetings on the project at the beginning of September. It needs public comments in order to prepare a draft environmental impact statement. According to the project’s indicative timeline, Magic Valley Energy plans to finalise the permitting process and start construction activities in 2022, while commercial operations are expected to be launched two years later.

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