Bannock County commissioners are in the process of rewriting a 2024 ordinance that banned industrial solar panel farms, and the effort is generating pushback from residents on both sides of the debate — while raising fresh concerns about how the process is being handled.
The original ban passed in March 2024 on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Chairman Jeff Hough casting the lone dissenting vote. Before that vote, commissioners had placed a moratorium on solar farm development to allow time for deliberation. Now, more than two years later, that ordinance is being revisited — and residents in the Downey area, who have been voicing opinions on solar development for roughly two years, are paying close attention.
Transparency Concerns Surface Over Draft Ordinance
The rewrite process drew criticism in early August 2026 after Pocatello for Accountable Government Agencies submitted a public records request for the new draft ordinance. Co-founder Heather Disselkoen said the group was initially denied access to the document, with the county citing client-attorney privilege. However, the draft had reportedly been shared with a third party approximately five weeks before it was made available to the public.
Dustin Manwaring, the attorney representing Balanced Rock Power, has a direct stake in the outcome. Balanced Rock’s proposed solar farm project would involve thousands of acres of solar panels in Bannock County, with the area west of Downey identified as a key location due to a large electrical substation already situated there. That substation’s proximity also connects the area to Gateway West, a regional energy project aimed at transmitting power from eastern Wyoming to western Idaho.
The sequence of events — a private party receiving a draft ordinance weeks before the public — raises legitimate questions about the county’s commitment to open government. Residents who have engaged this process for years deserve to review the same information as those with financial interests in the outcome.
Residents Divided, but Many Say Keep the Ban
At recent public hearings, Bannock County residents made their positions known in strong terms. Many who oppose industrial solar development in the area argued that the original ban reflected the community’s values and should remain in place.
John Crowder was blunt in his assessment, telling the commission, “The solar energy stuff is a scam. It’s not efficient. And they wouldn’t do this without tax subsidies going towards them.” His remarks reflect a broader skepticism among many rural Idaho residents about the economics of large-scale solar development, which often depends on federal tax incentives and subsidies rather than market competitiveness alone, as first reported by the Local News 8.
Joel Mcquivey offered an equally direct message to solar developers eyeing the county: “look elsewhere.”
The Downey area in particular has become a flashpoint, with residents there voicing concerns about industrial solar development for the past two years. The scale of the Balanced Rock Solar Farm proposal — covering thousands of acres — has heightened worries about the impact on agricultural land, property values, and rural character. Concerns have also been raised about the proximity of large solar installations to neighboring properties, with the 150-foot distance from property fences cited as a point of contention for nearby landowners.
A Pattern of Caution From the Commission
The solar farm deliberations are not the only development issue on the county’s radar. Bannock County commissioners placed a separate moratorium last month on AI data center permit proposals, allowing 180 days to study the matter before moving forward. The parallel approach suggests commissioners are being deliberate about large-scale industrial development more broadly — a posture many constituents likely support.
Public hearings were held prior to the passage of the 2024 ban, giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in before commissioners acted. Whether that same level of public engagement will shape the ordinance rewrite remains to be seen.
What Comes Next
Bannock County Commissioners have not announced a timeline for finalizing the revised solar ordinance. The records request dispute involving Pocatello for Accountable Government Agencies may continue to draw scrutiny as the process moves forward. Residents and property owners with concerns about the proposed ordinance changes are encouraged to monitor the Bannock County official website for hearing notices and public comment opportunities. Coverage of statewide energy policy developments can be found at Idaho News.