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Planning commission hears competing views on countywide pause for utility-scale solar as data-center interest rises
Summary
County commissioners floated language to stop issuing new utility-scale solar permits across unincorporated Emery County; planning commissioners and a utility representative urged targeted ordinance changes, not an outright ban, and asked staff for more study including transmission, water and siting parameters.
Commissioner Kevin Jensen raised the prospect of data centers and large new loads approaching Emery County, noting earlier outreach and the potential for large power draws. "Back in September, we were approached by a gentleman from Texas... they were talking about capacity... potentially gonna be 500 megawatts," Jensen said, arguing the county should be proactive about zoning and resource questions.
That discussion led into a broader conversation about utility-scale solar policy. Commissioners reviewed draft language reportedly proposed by the county commission that would amend Emery County Zoning Ordinance Section 11-3-8 to "not be issuing any more utility-scale solar in all of unincorporated areas of Emery County, including State Trust Lands, BLM and Forest Service lands." One planning commissioner read the draft aloud and observed, "So it doesn't say the word ban, but it sounds like ban."
Planning commissioners were split: several said the county needs stricter parameters (setbacks, dust control, wildlife corridors and consultation with cities), but they were generally not in favor of an across-the-board prohibition. A commissioner advised updating the permitted-use table and zoning language rather than inserting a standalone ordinance, while others favored a temporary pause or resolution to allow staff to develop clear siting criteria.
A Pacificorp representative stressed the technical complexity of interconnection studies and advised caution about policy decisions based on incomplete technical assumptions. "Part of those important studies in terms of interconnection are, you know, can you flow power from these projects to customer load and do that in a way that doesn't impact the ability of any other resource," the utility representative said, urging a more detailed, staff-driven analysis before regulatory action.
Commissioners agreed to put data centers and solar-ordinance language on a future agenda for more substantive staff review, public comment and utility briefing. The meeting produced no ordinance vote; the commission will consider formal drafting and review at a subsequent meeting.
