38.8

Risk Grade

Good

Second most populous eastern Idaho county; INL research community adds credibility; CUP pathway functional; growing market but conservative base

Assessment Snapshot

Population

118500

State Rank

Compliance

30%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from occupied structures typical; 50 ft from property lines

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit; Bonneville County P&Z; public hearing for major projects

Acreage Caps

None established at county level

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

20 ft height limit typical for ground arrays

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Moderate — Idaho Falls energy sector (INL, BEA) brings technical support; conservative rural residents more skeptical; business community generally supportive

Basis for Assessment

Idaho National Laboratory presence; Idaho Falls utility has renewable goals; conservative LDS-influenced population; growing commercial solar market

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Brad Egbert (Chair); Budd Hetrick; Roger Christensen

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp East) / WECC-RMPP

Utilities

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

State Permitting Process

CUP required; state building code; INL-related federal permitting may apply near reservation

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Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Bonneville County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment