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Emery County weighs ban versus standards for utility-scale solar after developer presentation
Summary
County commissioners debated draft language that would prohibit future utility-scale solar permits on unincorporated lands, including State Trust lands; industry representatives warned against a blanket ban and commissioners asked staff for more analysis before any recommendation.
Commissioner Kevin Jensen presented draft language to the Planning and Zoning Commission that would prohibit issuance of future utility-scale solar permits across unincorporated Emery County, including State Trust (SITLA), BLM and Forest Service lands.
Members discussed whether an outright prohibition or a more detailed ordinance with stronger siting and mitigation standards would better protect residential areas, wildlife corridors and visual resources. Several commissioners favored strengthening standards—setbacks, dust suppression, wildlife protections and decommissioning requirements—rather than adopting a blanket ban that could foreclose revenue-generating uses of disturbed or industrial corridors.
Tim Hemstreet, appearing for PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power, told the commission that PacifiCorp would not support an outright prohibition and emphasized that future electrical demand from potential large industrial users, including data centers, will likely require additional generating resources. He also clarified that interconnection and transmission planning responsibilities lie with project developers and the transmission studies required through Federal Energy Regulatory Commission processes address impacts on transmission rights.
Commissioners concluded more staff work and stakeholder outreach are needed before forwarding any recommendation to the Emery County Commission. No formal recommendation or ordinance action was taken at the June 10 meeting.
