Risk Grade

Fail

Coal-country economic identity; declining population; commissioners have publicly stated opposition to utility-scale solar; informal blockade posture

Assessment Snapshot

Population

9916

State Rank

#19

Compliance

65%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

Not defined for solar; general industrial setbacks at commission discretion

Zoning Mechanism

CUP required; historically denied or discouraged

Acreage Caps

No formal cap; practical resistance from commission

Density Caps

None formal

Spacing Rules

Not specified

Size Restrictions

Not formally specified; discretionary resistance

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Strongly resistant — coal plant community; population declining as coal industry contracts

Basis for Assessment

Hunter Power Plant and Huntington Power Plant are major local employers; county identity tied to coal; population loss driving defensive posture

Political Risk Factors

Deteriorating

Board Members

Leland Stilson | R | 2026; Lynn Sitterud | R | 2026; Kendall Thomas | R | 2028

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) — East Control Area; Hunter Plant interconnection

Utilities

Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp)

State Permitting Process

ESSA for >50 MW; hostile local permitting climate

State Incentives

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

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

None utility-scale solar

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

PacifiCorp Hunter coal plant repower discussions ongoing; solar alternatives opposed locally

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