Bannock County considers reversing renewable energy ban

Bannock County, Idaho, is considering reversing a March 2024 ordinance that banned utility-scale solar and wind development. The current county commission chair, Jeff Hough, who was the sole dissenter during the original 2-1 vote, is leading an effort to introduce new language that would permit the development of solar, wind, and nuclear energy.

The potential reversal comes amid a national trend where restrictions on clean energy are increasing. Data indicates that by 2025, nearly one in four U.S. counties had implemented some form of ban or moratorium on renewable energy development, a rise from 15% in 2023. More than 60% of these restrictive counties are classified as rural.

Reversing the ban could address growing energy needs in Idaho. Idaho Power, the state’s largest utility, anticipates that electricity demand will increase by approximately 1 gigawatt by 2030.