Dear Friends,
As the old song says, “What a difference a day makes.”
Just hours after taking office last Monday, President Trump placed a moratorium on the controversial Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho’s Magic Valley. This decision comes as a welcome relief for Idahoans, who have overwhelmingly opposed the project. Until recently, the Biden Administration had been moving full steam ahead, pushing a project that would have transformed Idaho into a massive energy supplier for California, a state notorious for failed policies and poor management. The project’s potential to harm Idaho’s landscapes, wildlife, historical sites, and agricultural communities seemed to be of little concern to out-of-state developers or federal bureaucrats.
President Trump’s executive order pauses the Lava Ridge project by directing the Secretary of the Interior to impose a temporary moratorium on all activities by Magic Valley Energy, LLC, and any other projects tied to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Record of Decision. The order also requires “a new comprehensive analysis of the interests implicated by the Lava Ridge Wind Project and the potential environmental impacts” to Idaho.
The review conducted by President Trump’s Department of Interior will take a much more favorable look at the wishes and concerns of all Idahoans. For now, this is a significant win—proof that our voices have been heard and that Idaho’s sovereignty is being respected. That’s how government should work.
However, this fight is far from over. Power companies are well-versed in navigating political changes and know how to play the long game. They have allies in both political parties and the resources to endure delays, waiting for more favorable regulatory conditions or for opposition to weaken.
Knowing that the executive order alone will not completely kill the Lava Ridge project and that entities affected may challenge the EO in the courts, I wasted no time taking the next step in our legal fight. The day after President Trump’s executive order, I filed Idaho’s opening brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, challenging the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) flawed review of Lava Ridge. The FAA erroneously concluded that hundreds of 660-foot-tall wind turbines would have no impact on low-altitude agricultural flights, which operate at 500 feet and below. This determination is a cornerstone of the BLM’s Environmental Impact Statement and the subsequent Record of Decision. If we succeed in overturning the FAA’s decision, the project cannot proceed.
Regardless of who occupies the White House or leads federal agencies, Idaho must remain vigilant as the Lava Ridge review unfolds. Federal agencies, even those currently aligned with Idaho’s interests, must be held accountable at every step. It is essential that their analyses are transparent, rigorous, and grounded in facts—not in the interests of out-of-state energy interests.
As the saying goes, “Success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan.” Many will claim credit for President Trump’s decision to hit pause on Lava Ridge—that’s the nature of politics. But the real heroes here are you, the people of Idaho. You showed up to meetings after long workdays, wrote letters, made calls, educated others, and engaged with local and state leaders to oppose this project. Your dedication encouraged others to stand strong, and your voices made the difference. This victory belongs to you.
Take a moment to savor this win. But stay vigilant and unified, as the battle to protect Idaho’s lands and people is far from over. Our freedom and way of life depend on it. Thank you for all you’ve done, and all you’ll continue to do, for Idaho.
Warm regards,
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