51.8

Risk Grade

Fair

Former mining county with no solar framework; declining population; forested terrain limits utility-scale; mining legacy zoning adds complexity; conservative anti-change politics

Assessment Snapshot

Population

13000

State Rank

#17

Compliance

40%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

General setback requirements for rural/mining district structures

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use or variance via Board of County Commissioners; limited solar permitting experience; mining legacy zoning may conflict

Acreage Caps

None established

Density Caps

None established

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

General height limits

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Skeptical to neutral — former mining community focused on economic revival through recreation/tourism; limited solar advocacy; some anti-development sentiment

Basis for Assessment

Silver Valley mining legacy (Bunker Hill Superfund site area); economically stressed community; conservative rural values; limited renewable energy awareness

Political Risk Factors

Declining

Board Members

David Dose (Chair); Jeff Zimmermann; Mike Fitzgerald

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Avista Utilities / WECC-NWPP

Utilities

Avista Utilities, Shoshone County Electric Cooperative (portions)

State Permitting Process

County CUP/variance process; state building code; EPA coordination for Bunker Hill vicinity

State Incentives

Eligible — Idaho Residential Clean Energy Credit; Avista net metering

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None on record

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Shoshone County, ID — Solar Development Risk Assessment