Risk Grade

Good

Mixed urban-rural politics; functional CUP pathway; growing market via ISU and local government clean energy goals

Assessment Snapshot

Population

87400

State Rank

Compliance

30%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

50 ft from residential structures; 25 ft from property lines

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit via Bannock County P&Z Commission; commercial/utility-scale requires public hearing

Acreage Caps

None established

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

15 ft height limit for ground-mounted residential; utility-scale height per CUP conditions

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Moderate — Pocatello favorable; rural areas more skeptical; ISU energy research community positive

Basis for Assessment

Pocatello moderate-liberal politics; Idaho State University sustainability programs; conservative rural county balance

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Chip Merrill (Chair); Terri Pickens Manweiler; Jim Doerr

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp East) / WECC-RMPP

Utilities

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp East), Fall River Electric Cooperative (eastern portions)

State Permitting Process

CUP required for utility-scale; state building permits; Idaho PUC interconnection rules

State Incentives

Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Rocky Mountain Power net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None verified

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Bannock County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment