40.2

Risk Grade

Good

EFU land restrictions under ORS 215 and limited grid infrastructure constrain large-scale development; low population density (~16k) limits rooftop solar market; good eastern Oregon solar irradiance partially offsets barriers

Assessment Snapshot

Population

16134

State Rank

Compliance

45%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from property lines; 200 ft from occupied residences in EFU zones

Zoning Mechanism

EFU (Exclusive Farm Use) dominates; Rural Industrial and Grazing zones allow energy development with CUP

Acreage Caps

None specified

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

ODOE siting jurisdiction for facilities >35 MW; county CUP for smaller commercial installations

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral — agricultural community not actively opposed; economic pragmatism emerging as rural revenues decline; Baker City Herald coverage shows no organized opposition

Basis for Assessment

Baker City Herald; Baker County planning commission minutes 2022-2024; county commissioner public records

Political Risk Factors

Stable-Cautious — conservative rural county; no active opposition campaigns but limited policy enthusiasm

Board Members

Mark Bennett (Chair), Bruce Nichols, Bill Harvey

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

PacifiCorp Rocky Mountain Power; BPA high-voltage transmission corridor (Jim Bridger–Midpoint)

Utilities

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp), None/BPA wheeling only

State Permitting Process

ORS 215 EFU conditional use permit; ODOE Energy Facility Siting Council for >35 MW; LCDC Goal 3 (Agricultural Lands) compliance required

State Incentives

Eligible — Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program (ODOE); Energy Trust of Oregon Business incentives

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Baker City Solar PV Park (est. 15 MW, 2020)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Baker County, OR — Solar Development Risk Assessment