A bill authored by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R - Idaho) passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Tuesday. The bill aims to delay the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project.
RELATED: Rep. Simpson works to block Lava Ridge Wind Project.
The bill, which was introduced in August, would prevent the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing the Lava Ridge project until a GAO study is conducted to analyze the project’s potential impact on the Minidoka National Historic Site.
During World War II, Minidoka was a concentration camp where Alaska Natives and Japanese Americans were incarcerated — the bill has been endorsed by several groups representing survivors, descendants, and allies of Minidoka.
RELATED: Sen. Risch challenges Lava Ridge to delay wind project.
“Lava Ridge has near-unanimous opposition in Idaho and among the broader Japanese American Community,” said Senator Risch. "My bill will stop Lava Ridge from moving forward until a full assessment of its impacts on the Minidoka National Historic Site and other natural and cultural resources can be conducted."
