Will the energy ordinance set regulations to ensure responsible development?

 

Yes. The energy section of the Bannock County land use ordinance will set guidelines and regulations for wildlife, safety, inspections, maintenance, and decommissioning. This will include appropriate setbacks from roads and residences, bonding to cover costs for responsible removal and restoration of the land, recycling of panels, coordination with Idaho Fish and Game to protect wildlife, and fire safety precautions driven by the local fire district. 

​

Does approval of the energy ordinance mean individual projects are approved and can move forward?

​

No. The ordinance would require energy projects to receive approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) and gives the county the right to approve or deny an application. The permit process includes extensive environmental studies, consultation with county agencies, and community input through community meetings, formal comment periods, and public hearings.

​

How does the ordinance protect private property rights?

​

The ordinance supports landowners’ rights to make decisions about the best uses of their property. For local farmers and ranchers who are struggling to make ends meet, this could give them the opportunity to receive steady income from renewable energy leasing and protect their family farm for future generations. County review of projects would ensure respect for neighboring landowners’ concerns and adherence to regulations.

Why is affordable clean energy needed in Idaho right now?

​

Driven by population growth, electrification of homes and vehicles, and the expansion of data centers and industry, demand for electricity is growing fast. Utility-scale solar is now the cheapest energy source available today. Solar development presents us with an opportunity to meet growing energy needs with an affordable, homegrown supply that reduces the likelihood of scarcity-based blackouts and price spikes, keeping energy affordable. 

​

What is battery energy storage and how does it help with reliability? 

​

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are like giant rechargeable batteries for your community that are critical to moderating electricity bills. In Idaho, energy storage allows for utilities to store solar-produced electricity when it is the least expensive source of energy and release it later in the day when demand is the highest. This benefits Idahoans by delivering electricity when we need it most at the most affordable rates possible. Energy storage is a critical tool in Idaho’s grid that is used to smooth out supply and demand, reduce stress on the grid during peak hours, and provide critical backup for essential services like hospitals, schools, and emergency response.

How can clean energy benefit local economies? 

​

The economic benefits of clean energy development ripple through the entire community. Large-scale wind and solar projects generate millions of dollars in property tax revenue, that communities can use to improve schools, build roads, and undertake other beneficial projects. In 2024 alone, Idaho counties where wind and solar were active received over $8.6 million in tax revenue. 

​

Clean energy also creates family-sustaining construction and operations jobs for local workers — a chance for young professionals to build skills in a rapidly growing industry. Clean energy companies frequently invest in the communities where they operate as well.

​

Clean energy facilities keep bills lower than fossil-fuel-based power because they're less expensive to build and operate. Long-term fixed-price power purchase agreements lock in electricity rates, shielding ratepayers from the price spikes that come with gas and other fossil fuels. Over time, a more diverse, locally generated energy mix puts downward pressure on electricity rates, keeping costs lower and more stable for families, farms, and businesses across Southeast Idaho. 

​

How will energy generation help the Bannock County community?

​

Energy generated in Bannock County will help serve both local and regional needs as part of the broader grid. Having new energy sources within the county strengthens local grid reliability, supports growing demand, and contributes to overall system stability. When paired with energy storage, that benefit grows. Battery storage systems can charge up with solar energy when there’s excess, providing a backup supply during periods of high demand. For instance, during a hot summer day when everyone is running their AC, these systems can release stored energy directly where it’s needed and prevent power loss. 

​

How are clean energy projects typically funded? 

​

Even without tax incentives, solar and wind energy remain the least expensive ways to generate electricity. Communities don’t front the expense of building them, either. Utility-scale solar projects are privately financed and funded through developer equity and institutional investment. Developers take on the financial risk, build the project, and earn revenue by selling electricity through long-term contracts with utilities. Meanwhile, the community receives a steady stream of property tax revenue from a project without bearing any of the cost, boosting the local tax base throughout a project’s multi-decade lifespan.

How do we ensure solar panels are safe for the environment?

​

Solar panels are sealed systems made primarily of glass, aluminum, and encapsulated silicon cells. They do not contain liquids or materials that can leach into the soil or groundwater. Solar projects are also developed with established environmental protections and stormwater management practices to safeguard nearby land and water resources. Overall, solar is considered a low-impact technology and is widely recognized as safe for surrounding ecosystems, including local water supplies.

​

Are solar projects consistent with the rural character of agricultural areas? 

​

Solar development is one of the most effective ways to keep farmland in the family and prevent other land uses that would permanently change the landscape. Many Southeast Idaho farm families face mounting pressure from rising production costs, unstable commodity prices, labor shortages, and drought; these pressures often force a painful choice of selling land for subdivision development. Leasing dormant or low-yielding acreage for solar gives farmers a stable, long-term income stream without permanently removing land from agricultural use.

​

Solar development has minimal environmental impact. Studies have shown that farms near solar installations with native plantings see increased pollinator activity, which can improve crop yields on adjacent agricultural land. Solar arrays also use little to no water to operate and produce zero groundwater pollution, a critical advantage in Southeast Idaho’s high desert regions where water conservation is a top priority. 

Solar projects, studies have negligible effect on nearby property values because they often have little visual impact. When the alternative is a subdivision that permanently paves over productive farmland, solar isn't a threat to Southeast Idaho’s rural character — it's one of the best options we have to protect it.

​

How safe are energy storage systems? 

​

Energy storage systems are quickly becoming a common feature of grids around the world. As their deployment skyrockets, safety incidents are falling as a percentage of total deployment. As deployment has grown by more than 25,000% since 2018, incidents have remained incredibly rare. Energy storage is subject to rigorous national and local safety standards that are frequently reviewed and updated. Modern facilities are designed with multiple layers of protection, including fire suppression systems, thermal management, and remote monitoring. Developers also work closely with local fire departments and emergency services to develop site-specific safety plans and provide local emergency responder training.

​

What happens to clean energy projects after the end of their life? 

​

Well-crafted local regulations and ordinances ensure that solar installations include end-of-life planning — in many cases requiring developers to establish decommissioning plans. At the end of a project's 30- to 40-year lifespan, regulations dictate that panels and equipment be removed and recycled responsibly, preventing the need to impact local landfills. Solar and wind projects are fully reversible, unlike permanent subdivisions or industrial facilities. The landowner retains full control over what comes next.