48.4

Risk Grade

Fair

Bismarck suburb, growing, some regulatory framework; conservative commission but pragmatic

Assessment Snapshot

Population

31364

State Rank

#11

Compliance

43%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

300 ft from residences

Zoning Mechanism

CUP utility-scale; building permit residential

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed

Basis for Assessment

Mandan/Bismarck-adjacent; growing suburban county

Political Risk Factors

Neutral

Board Members

Chair Cody Schulz | R | 2026; Commissioner Jim Albrecht | R | 2026; Commissioner Randy Bina | R | 2026

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

MISO / Basin Electric

Utilities

Montana-Dakota Utilities

State Permitting Process

County zoning

State Incentives

Property tax exemption; Federal ITC

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Morton County, ND — Solar Development Risk Assessment