FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2025
Contact:
Madison Hardy
Janessa Tolman
BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement applauding the Interior Department’s completed review to fulfill President Trump’s executive order, coauthored by Senator Risch, to end the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project.
“Once again, our public lands have been saved.
“Today, President Trump and Secretary Burgum announced the results of the final review on Lava Ridge, concluding what we in Idaho have known—Lava Ridge is wrong for the Gem State.
“I made a promise to Idahoans that I would not rest until the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project was terminated. Today, President Trump and I delivered on that promise.
“I am proud to have worked hand in hand with President Trump to block this disastrous project. Lava Ridge is over!”
Senator Risch has been at the forefront of efforts to block the Lava Wind Energy Project, which would have built hundreds of wind turbines on over 100,000 acres of public land in southern Idaho.
Following the November 2024 election, Senator Risch worked with President Trump and the incoming administration to craft an executive order to stop Lava Ridge in its entirety. The executive order signed by President Trump on Inauguration Day halted Lava Ridge and called for the Secretary of the Interior to review the project for termination.
The project received repeated formal opposition from the Idaho Congressional Delegation, the Idaho State Legislature, Idaho’s constitutional officers, impacted county and city officials, and members of the Japanese American community.
The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have put measures in place to ensure another project like Lava Ridge will not be forced on Idahoans at the expense of the American taxpayer. This includes the One, Big, Beautiful Bill removing taxpayer subsidies for unwanted wind projects and the Interior Department ending preferential treatment and forcing consideration of electricity generation per acre on massive, inefficient energy sources like wind.
About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
