39.5

Risk Grade

Good

Very conservative LDS county with no solar framework; small land area limits utility-scale; student-inflated population reduces median income; BYU-Idaho has sustainability programs but no county policy influence

Assessment Snapshot

Population

42000

State Rank

Compliance

35%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

General setback requirements; typical rural/residential structure setbacks apply

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use or variance via Madison County P&Z; very limited utility-scale solar processing experience

Acreage Caps

None established

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

General structure height limits

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral — very conservative LDS community; BYU-Idaho academic population adds some solar awareness; county governance reflects LDS conservative values on land use

Basis for Assessment

Most LDS-concentrated county in Idaho; BYU-Idaho student population skews income data; conservative governance; limited solar development pressure from small geographic footprint

Political Risk Factors

Stable

Board Members

Jake Burnside (Chair); Allen Stucki; Josh Packer

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp East) / Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative / WECC-RMPP

Utilities

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

State Permitting Process

County CUP/variance process; state building code

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Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Madison County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment