Risk Grade

Fail

Coal-country political resistance is primary risk; informal moratorium posture by county commission; economic identity conflict with solar development

Assessment Snapshot

Population

19748

State Rank

#19

Compliance

70%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

Not formally specified; large discretionary buffers applied in practice

Zoning Mechanism

CUP required; county commission has voted to deny or table solar applications

Acreage Caps

None formal; practical blockade via commission

Density Caps

No formal cap; practical resistance near zero for utility-scale

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

No formal limit; discretionary denial pattern

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Strongly resistant — coal industry identity; "Solar not welcome" editorial stance in local press

Basis for Assessment

County economy historically dependent on coal mining; Price area has Intermountain Power connection; commissioners have publicly opposed renewable energy transition

Political Risk Factors

Deteriorating

Board Members

Larry Jensen | R | 2026; Tony Martines | R | 2026; Casey Hopes | R | 2028

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) — East Control Area

Utilities

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp)

State Permitting Process

ESSA for >50 MW; hostile local permitting environment

State Incentives

Utah Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit; net metering (RMP East)

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None utility-scale

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

Unnamed 50 MW application tabled by commission 2022; developer withdrew

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