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Board members begin work on energy overlay zone; cite state guidance gaps and transmission constraints

Tooele County Economic Opportunity Board · January 16, 2026

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Summary

Board members said they were appointed to work with the state and GOEO on an energy overlay zone; they discussed mapping parcels and infrastructure constraints and noted state guidance and legislative language are inconsistent, and that transmission upgrades (Rocky Mountain Power) could take many years.

Board members reported they have been appointed to coordinate with the state and the Governor’s Office of Energy Development (GOEO) on a prospective energy overlay zone. The overlay is intended to compile GIS layers—floodplains, power lines, gas lines and other utilities—so the county can identify parcels suitable for different types of energy projects and better evaluate infrastructure needs.

Members said the work is still in early stages because state guidance and statutory language are inconsistent, which has produced procedural dead ends. The group discussed sharing shapefiles and BLM mapping to accelerate the overlay work. One member cited an extended timeline for transmission upgrades, noting that upgrades from Rocky Mountain Power could take 10 years or more, which constrains where new energy projects can reliably connect to the grid.

The board agreed to continue the mapping effort and to share technical files among staff and partners to advance site identification and coordinate with state agencies.