Risk Grade

Good

Good eastern Oregon solar irradiance; wind energy precedent normalizes energy development; Hermiston industrial area offers utility-scale sites; CTUIR operates independent energy program; growing Hermiston population improves distributed solar market

Assessment Snapshot

Population

77950

State Rank

Compliance

45%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

100 ft from property lines; 150 ft from residences; CTUIR tribal buffer zones near reservation boundary; McNary Pool shoreline setback

Zoning Mechanism

EFU, Grazing (G), CTUIR Reservation (tribal sovereignty), Pendleton/Hermiston/Milton-Freewater/Athena/Pilot Rock Urban Growth Boundaries, Industrial (Hermiston)

Acreage Caps

No county cap

Spacing Rules

None specified

Size Restrictions

ODOE >35 MW; CTUIR separate energy program on reservation; BLM for federal lands; county CUP; Umatilla Army Depot security perimeter coordination

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Neutral-Moderate — Pendleton and Hermiston pragmatic; CTUIR operates separate energy development program; agricultural community open to solar lease income; East Oregonian coverage neutral

Basis for Assessment

Umatilla County planning records 2019-2024; East Oregonian (Pendleton) newspaper; CTUIR Energy Program; Hermiston Herald; BLM Pendleton Resource Area records

Political Risk Factors

Stable — moderate-conservative Pendleton community; Hermiston industrial area pragmatic about energy development; CTUIR has separate energy development program; no organized anti-solar movement

Board Members

George Murdock (Chair), John Shafer, Bill Elfering

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp); BPA (McNary Dam–Walla Walla corridor; good transmission access)

Utilities

Pacific Power (PacifiCorp), Umatilla Electric Cooperative

State Permitting Process

ORS 215 EFU CUP; ODOE >35 MW; CTUIR tribal permitting (independent); BLM ROW; Umatilla County Zoning Ordinance

State Incentives

Eligible — Oregon Solar + Storage Rebate Program; Energy Trust of Oregon; CTUIR tribal programs (on-reservation)

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Nolin Hills Energy (600 MW, 2023)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

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Umatilla County, OR — Solar Development Risk Assessment