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George Lynch tells Senate panel transmission, new generation and nuclear are Idaho energy priorities
Summary
Governor's nominee George Lynch told the Senate State Affairs Committee his experience with regional transmission and federal grid programs would help Idaho find new generation, build transmission and keep rates low; he said nuclear "could be a significant provider" by the end of the decade or the 2030s. The committee considered the appointment during the Jan. 15 meeting.
Governor-submitted nominee George Lynch appeared before the Senate State Affairs Committee on Jan. 15 as the nominee to the Idaho Energy Resource Authority, to serve Dec. 1, 2024–June 30, 2029.
Mr. Lynch described his background, saying he was "employed as an attorney with Washington State University, focusing on Washington State transmission policy in the West," and noting work at the U.S. Department of Energy on wholesale electricity market programs and prior service as legal counsel for the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.
When Chairman Guthrie asked Mr. Lynch to identify the biggest challenge facing Idaho, Mr. Lynch said rising demand meant Idaho must focus on "finding new generation resources, building the transmission system to deliver energy where needed, and maintaining Idaho’s historically low electricity prices." He told the committee he expected nuclear generation to "be a significant provider, ready for commercialization by the end of this decade or by the 2030s," and referenced Idaho National Laboratory as a regional research resource.
Senators asked about the relevance of Mr. Lynch’s current role; he said familiarity with the regional transmission system would bring useful knowledge and stakeholder relationships to IERA. The minutes do not record a roll-call vote or final tally tied explicitly to this appointment in the committee minutes.
