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Commissioners press for input on large solar projects as Idaho delegation visits
Summary
Gooding County commissioners told Idaho Business for the Outdoors they want input on large projects after hearing reports of a possible 12,000-acre solar proposal between Gooding and Wendell; representatives from Idaho’s congressional delegation met with the board but had not yet heard of the project.
Heather Eastman, Executive Director of Idaho Business for the Outdoors, met face-to-face with Gooding County commissioners on March 16 to discuss county concerns about public lands and large projects. Commissioner Vern Eames said he had heard at least one report of a substantial solar project—described in the meeting as as large as 12,000 acres—potentially planned between Gooding and Wendell, though no application has been submitted. Eastman said she would collect counties’ input and present it at the next Idaho Association of Counties (I.A.C.) conference.
During public comment and visitors, representatives of Idaho’s congressional delegation were present: Mike Matthews (Idaho Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Risch), Samantha Marshall (Regional Director for Senator Crapo), and Jessica Hammond (Regional Director for Congressman Simpson). Commissioners reported the rumor of a large solar project; delegates said they had not heard of it but noted they have a meeting with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) next month. The transcript records no BLM application or formal project filing; the commissioners requested that county perspectives be included when large projects are discussed.
