41.8

Risk Grade

Good

Energy development (wind) is core of county economy providing critical tax revenue for tiny rural county; Columbia River corridor offers excellent BPA transmission access and strong solar irradiance; EFU restrictions apply but county is among the most energy-development-friendly in Oregon

Assessment Snapshot

Population

1934

State Rank

#10

Compliance

40%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from property lines; 0.25-mile buffer from John Day River Scenic Waterway; variable for wind/solar co-located projects

Zoning Mechanism

EFU (Exclusive Farm Use), Grazing (G), Rangeland (R), Recreation; Columbia River frontage with Port of Arlington industrial zone

Acreage Caps

No formal county cap

Spacing Rules

0.5-mile spacing precedent from wind energy development; applied informally to solar siting review

Size Restrictions

ODOE >35 MW; BPA interconnection rights-of-way; John Day River Scenic Waterway permit for riparian areas

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Supportive — small community (1,934 people) economically dependent on wind energy lease payments and property taxes; solar seen as complementary energy revenue stream; Port of Arlington pro-development; East Oregonian coverage positive

Basis for Assessment

Gilliam County planning records; East Oregonian newspaper; BPA interconnection queue data; Gilliam County Assessor energy facility tax records; Port of Arlington Commission minutes

Political Risk Factors

Stable — pragmatic small rural community economically dependent on energy development for tax base; Boardman area industrial corridor pro-development; no organized opposition

Board Members

Randy Peck (Chair), Thomas Justesen, Dennis Trujillo

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) — Class 1 transmission access via Boardman; Pacific Power (PacifiCorp) distribution

Utilities

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp), Columbia Basin Electric Cooperative

State Permitting Process

ORS 215 EFU CUP; ODOE Energy Facility Siting >35 MW; BPA ROW authorization; John Day Scenic Waterway for riparian areas

State Incentives

Eligible — Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program; Energy Trust of Oregon; federal IRA investment tax credits applicable

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Pachwáywit Fields / Montague Solar (162 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Gilliam County, OR — Solar Development Risk Assessment