Lawmaker wants wind-power moratorium

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho lawmaker has introduced a bill calling for a two-year statewide moratorium on industrial wind-energy projects. Republican Rep. Erik Simpson of Idaho Falls says the moratorium is needed to give officials time to study the ramifications of the projects on the state’s economy, the environment, and on energy bills received by consumers. Simpson says the moratorium is a common sense approach to what he describes as an out-of-control problem in the state. The Post Register reports that he introduced the bill on Friday. Randy Gardner of Ridgeline Energy says a moratorium could cause wind energy companies to look for opportunities in other states. If the bill became law it wouldn’t halt wind energy projects already under construction or that have permits.