Risk Grade

Good

Magic Valley solar hotspot; experienced P&Z with utility-scale track record; ag landowners engaged in solar leasing; flat terrain and transmission access

Assessment Snapshot

Population

25000

State Rank

Compliance

25%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from occupied dwellings; 50 ft from property lines (standard CUP condition)

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit via Cassia County P&Z; experienced staff with multiple project approvals on record

Acreage Caps

None established at county level

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

20 ft height limit typical CUP condition

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Generally favorable — Magic Valley agricultural community recognizes solar lease revenue; landowners active in solar development

Basis for Assessment

Multiple operating utility-scale projects; agricultural community welcomes land revenue; conservative but pragmatic county governance; high solar irradiance region

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Paul Christensen (Chair); Rex Jolley; Tom Hollifield

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Idaho Power Company (IPCO) / WECC-NWPP

Utilities

Idaho Power Company (IPCO), None significant

State Permitting Process

CUP required; state building permits; FERC interconnection for utility-scale

State Incentives

Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Idaho Power net metering (IPC Order 34509)

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None verified

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Cassia County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment