50.2

Risk Grade

Fair

Rapid population growth generating new opposition from residents who moved to rural areas; agricultural land conversion controversy intensifying; growing compliance requirements trend; moderate and rising saturation in Fernley corridor near NV Energy interconnection points

Assessment Snapshot

Population

59721

State Rank

#10

Compliance

45%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

200 ft from residential zones; 100 ft from property lines

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit; public hearing mandatory for utility-scale projects under Title 10

Acreage Caps

None formal; project-by-project review

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

CUP required for projects >1 MW; agricultural impact assessment required in Yerington area

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed

Basis for Assessment

Fernley and Dayton newcomer residents opposing agricultural land conversion; Yerington (agricultural core) more resistant; Silver Springs area neutral; county commission mixed; one denial 2023 for agricultural land conversion without adequate mitigation

Political Risk Factors

Increasing

Board Members

Ken Gray (Chair), Vida Keller, Greg Hunewill, Bob Hastings, Wes Henderson

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

NV Energy (Sierra Pacific Power) / WECC

Utilities

NV Energy (Sierra Pacific Power)

State Permitting Process

PUCN ≥200 MW; county CUP with public hearing required

State Incentives

Yes – NV SB 448; RPS eligible

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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