Bannock County Commissioners Ban Industrial Solar Farms

Bannock County commissioners voted 2‑1 to ban industrial‑scale solar farms, reaffirming a 2024 ordinance that had placed a moratorium on such projects. County Commissioner Chairman Jeff Hough cast the lone dissenting vote, while former commissioner John Crowder warned that the ban reflects a political battle over taxpayer‑funded subsidies and environmental risks.

The county previously used a similar moratorium approach for AI data‑center permits. After a public‑records request, activist Heather Disselkoen discovered that attorney Dustin Manwaring of Balanced Rock Power had received early access to the draft ordinance, prompting accusations of preferential treatment. Disselkoen posted the findings on Facebook, where the story gained significant online traction.