Idaho
BLM seeks public input on geothermal energy leases in southern Idaho
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public feedback on seven proposed geothermal lease parcels in southern Idaho, most of them in Cassia County.
Idaho currently has no geothermal power plants leased on public lands, according to the BLM.
Geothermal energy pulls heat from deep underground to generate power. Unlike solar or wind, it does not depend on weather or sunlight, making it a consistent, around-the-clock energy source.
One acre of surface disturbance can supply power to about 400 to 600 homes, according to the BLM.
The BLM has managed geothermal leasing since 1976, the first allowed on public lands. The agency oversees more than 50 operational plants, mostly in Nevada and California.
Before any lease is awarded in Idaho, the BLM wants to hear from the public, especially anyone with knowledge of resources in the area that could affect the decision.
The agency is seeking information on any resource considerations that need to be taken into account when deciding whether the parcels should be leased for geothermal exploration.
If leases are awarded, the money generated would be shared. Half would go back to the state of Idaho and a quarter would go directly to the county where the leased land sits.
The bids, rental receipts and subsequent royalties are divided as follows: 25% goes to the United States Treasury, 25% goes to the county where the leased parcel is located, and 50% goes back to the state of Idaho.
The public input deadline is May 13. Information on how to submit feedback is available on BLM Idaho’s geothermal energy webpage.
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Idaho
Cold nights, gusty winds and a freeze threat ahead before eastern Idaho heats back up – East Idaho News
IDAHO FALLS — After a cold front moved through the area, the National Weather Service in Pocatello says it’s going to be chilly for the next several days before it gradually warms up.
Meteorologist Dawn Harmon tells EastIdahoNews.com overnight lows Sunday into Monday will drop into the 30s. In Idaho Falls, the temperature is expected to be 35 degrees Fahrenheit, with another dip to 30 degrees Monday into Tuesday. If that holds, Harmon says there will likely be a freeze warning in effect for much of east Idaho.
“Some of the outlying areas could see a hard freeze again, with temperatures dropping below 28. We may see temperatures flirt with freezing again on Wednesday morning, but in general, the rest of the week we should see a warming trend,” Harmon says.
Harmon is forecasting a gradual uptick in daytime temperatures throughout the week. Temperatures on Sunday will be in the mid 50s. A 2- to 5-degree jump is expected each day with temperatures approaching 70 degrees on Wednesday and back into the 80s by Saturday.
While there may be some light rain on Sunday night, Harmon says it will be a dry week overall. Light sporadic rain showers may continue, but the amount of precipitation will not be significant.
As of Sunday morning, Harmon says they’re “toying with the idea” of issuing a wind advisory Sunday night. There will be a northerly wind, with gusts between 40 and 45 mph. Areas near the Arco desert will see gusts of 50 mph.
“It’s an overnight wind, so we’re not as confident as we would be with a daytime wind event. We still have time to look at that before we make a decision this afternoon,” Harmon said Sunday morning.
Winds may increase Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, but Harmon is not anticipating “a broad wind advisory across the region.”
Live traffic cams and a complete seven-day forecast are available here.
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Among those who have agreed to do so are Republicans Cindy Agidius, of Moscow, and Colton Bennett, of Troy, Rep. Kyle Harris, R-Lewiston, House candidate Maureen Anderson, of Lewiston, and state Sen. Cindy Carlson, R-Riggins.
Medicaid expansion — Even before they succeeded in imposing a work requirement so technically onerous that it may disenfranchise up to 34,000 working poor Idahoans from healthcare coverage simply for failing to fill out the paperwork, lawmakers made a serious run at repealing the 2018 voter-approved Medicaid expansion outright. Last year, a measure aimed at doing that passed the House 38-32 and was held up by the Senate. Given the GOP-led Legislature’s antipathy for the program and the initiative process that implemented it, a few seats in either chamber could hold the balance of power.
Higher education — Legislative hostility toward Idaho’s colleges and universities has been on full display, first by removing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and then by disproportionately cutting state funding to correct a budget deficit brought on by the GOP’s overzealous tax-cutting propensities. As a result, annual student tuition is within striking difference of the bellwether $10,000.
At the same time, support for Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Launch program — which promised $8,000 to help high school graduates pursue training and higher education — was tepid at best. It cleared by a 39-31 vote two years ago and already lawmakers are whittling away at it.
If you need to see what the GOP activists have in mind, look no further than the state Republican Party platform: “We strongly support professional technical and continuing education programs that provide career readiness and college preparation, but do not support using taxpayer funding for programs beyond high school.”
Legislative power brokers — Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur d’Alene, is plowing new ground by allocating $350,000 to a funding apparatus that is funneling big checks, untethered by campaign finance limits, to legislative candidates. It’s not just that a sitting legislator is openly picking winners and losers among incumbents and challengers. There is so much money involved that it could make a difference.
For instance, Redman’s PAC has allocated $16,478 to Bennett’s campaign — which is almost half the amount Bennett has raised for his own campaign. Agidius, on the other hand, has raised $25,789.
Redman’s PAC also has distributed $17,383 to Harris’ effort, coming close to the $23,874 the incumbent has accumulated. Harris’ challenger, former Lewiston Mayor and City Councilor Mike Collins, has collected $30,031.
If voters are prepared to tolerate that, you have to ask at least two questions: What kind of IOUs is Redman collecting from the 20 candidates he’s supporting? And who will be the next lawmaker to follow his example?
Someone is going to decide these questions Tuesday. If not you, who? — M.T.
Potlatch 202 101 0—6 3 3
C. Stewart and P. Stewart; D. Fry, R. Lusby (1), B. Breeze (3) and O. Smith.
Glenns Ferry hits — N. Hernandez 2, P. Stewart (2B), M. Fisher, K. King, J. Titus.
Potlatch hits — E. Vowels (2B), D. Fry, H. Sawyer.
Potlatch 15, Genesee 13
GENESEE — The Loggers spoiled a comeback attempt by the Bulldogs late in the Idaho Class 2A state tournament semifinals.
Genesee (14-11) scored seven runs in the sixth inning, but Potlatch responded with three runs of its own to take the lead back and win the game.
Reese Lusby paced the Loggers with four hits and had two RBI.
Olivia Smith had two hits and two RBI for Potlatch.
Miley Grieser had two hits and led the Bulldogs with three RBI.
Katie O’Connell had a double and two RBI for Genesee.
Genesee 011 407 0—13 8 6
Potlatch 082 023 x—15 13 1
L. Herman and R. Baysinger; D. Fry, R. Lusby (6), B. Breeze (7) and O. Smith.
Genesee hits — S. Banks 2, R. Baysinger 2, M. Grieser 2, K. O’Connell (2B), K. Krick.
Potlatch hits — R. Lusby 4, C. Larson 2 (2B), O. Smith 2, B. Breeze 2, D. Fry, E. Vowels, R. Tucker.
Genesee 12, Clearwater Valley 9
GENESEE — The Bulldogs had five extra-base hits, and three players had three hits apiece to defeat Clearwater Valley of Kooskia in an elimination game earlier in the day.
Alia Wareham and Katie O’Connell each had three hits, including two doubles, driving in one run apiece for Genesee.
Sydney Banks also had three hits and one RBI.
Kaylee Krick had a double and two RBI for the Bulldogs.
Riley Parsons had two hits, one a double, and totaled three RBI for the Rams (16-6).
Seasha Reuben had two hits and two RBI for Clearwater Valley.
Genesee 310 231 2—12 13 1
Clearwater Valley 202 001 4—9 5 4
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