SolarRisk Tracker / Explore / ND / Williams

Williams County, ND — Solar Development Risk Assessment

Local solar ordinance barriers, board sentiment, and utility policies that affect development timelines and risk.

48.8
Risk Grade
Fair
Bakken oil capital; high income from oil; some regulatory framework; some diversification interest but oil dominates all investment
Assessment Snapshot
Population
37589
State Rank
#12
Compliance
44%
Trajectory
53

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium
No

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements
500 ft from residences
Zoning Mechanism
CUP utility-scale

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis
Mixed
Basis for Assessment
Williston/Bakken hub; oil dominates but some diversification discussion
Political Risk Factors
Neutral
Board Members
Chair Scott Peltier | R | 2026; Commissioner David Montgomery | R | 2026; Commissioner Jon Godfread | R | 2026

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator
SPP / Montana-Dakota Utilities
Utilities
Montana-Dakota Utilities
State Permitting Process
County zoning; ND PSC >100 MW
State Incentives
Property tax exemption; Federal ITC

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects
1
Denied/Withdrawn Projects
0

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Last verified: April 2026 (web research) | SolarRisk Tracker | Data sources: Government records, utility filings, public meeting minutes