A battered Republican candidate was re-elected, and a landmark rejection of Democratic climate and energy policies by American voters prevented a years-long assault of high winds and hurricanes on rural America, our landscapes and wildlife. . [emphasis, links added]
But yesterday, in a landmark executive order, President Donald Trump ordered All federal agencies must immediately assess “the environmental impacts of onshore and offshore wind projects on wildlife, including but not limited to birds and marine mammals.”
For more than a decade, Gale has dodged, detoured and denied responsibility for its impact on everything from eagles to North Atlantic right whales.
Gale companies have also repeatedly crushed rural and coastal communities in their pursuit of federal tax credits. no longer. Washington has a new sheriff, and it's clear things are changing.
As predicted in November, Trump immediately targeted the offshore wind industry. But his executive order on wind power, titled “Temporarily Cancel Offshore Wind Leasing in All Areas of the Outer Continental Shelf and Review Leasing and Licensing Practices for Federal Wind Projects,” is not limited to offshore wind power.
Trump also ordered a halt to the controversial Lava Wind project in Idaho.
It was reported in September that there is statewide opposition to the Lava Ridge project in Idaho, which is owned by New York-based LS Power.
In 2023, the Idaho House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution expressing opposition to a proposed 1,200-megawatt facility that could be built on federal land near the Minidoka National Historic Site.
I promise the people of Idaho that I will not rest until the Lava Ridge Wind Project is terminated. Day 1, President @realDonaldTrump and take action to deliver on this commitment. pic.twitter.com/fNn0nvR9FD
— Jim Risch (@SenatorRisch) January 21, 2025
Shortly after Trump signed the order, Sen. Jim Reish (R-ID) praised the move, saying:
“Lava Ridge has been a manifestation of liberal disregard for the voices of Idahoans and rural Americans. Despite strong and widespread opposition from the Idaho and Japanese American communities, The previous government continued to pursue this unpopular plan.“
The executive order on wind energy is part of the largest one-day shift in energy and climate policy in U.S. history.
Here are some specific details.
Read “Rest” by Robert Bryce
Top photo of Senator Jim Risch (right) and President Trump via X/SenatorRisch
