January 17, 2026
Solar Power in Bannock County
By: Craig Yadon
What’s the big deal with industrial solar farms in Idaho?
Idaho, a beautiful, flowing, landscape of mountains, rivers, lakes, deserts, and farmland. We really do live in a glorious and diverse state.
Unfortunately, out-of-state interests and some of our local politicians are working overtime to change that. To turn parts of our scenic state, right here in Bannock County, into an industrial eyesore.
We’ve heard about and seen the so-called green energy projects for many years now. Travel north on I-15 or west on I-86, and you’ll find imposing wind turbines. If you head south, just across the border, you’ll encounter many acres of unattractive solar panels. Traveling toward our state capital, Boise, you encounter a vast array of these same ugly solar panels. All of these projects have a few things in common.
- They detract from the beautiful landscapes and wildlife habitat Idaho is known for
- They bring with them fire danger and profound environmental risks
- They remove farmland
- They result in higher energy costs and less efficiency
- They waste our tax dollars as they are not viable without government subsidies
Idaho has benefited from the investments that we’ve made in reservoirs & hydropower, especially here in Eastern Idaho. We sit on one of the largest aquifers in the world. The irrigation water we enjoy has made our high plains deserts a fertile ground that helps to feed the entire nation. Our farmlands grow potatoes that local food manufacturers turn into french-fries, sugar beets are processed into sugar, and alfalfa, barley and hops are major commodities.
Now, though, industrial solar and wind projects threaten to turn parts of Idaho into a version of Detroit. How did we get here?
In early 2024, the Bannock County commissioners voted, two to one, to ban large scale wind and solar farms. That’s right; it wasn’t a unanimous vote. The makeup of the commissioners has now changed, and the issue is popping its head up again. But why? What has changed besides the makeup of the commissioner’s board? Some will claim that the technology has improved (an attempt to counter the numerous videos you can watch online showing fields of solar panels destroyed by hail and the infamous Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) fire in Moss Landing), but the real reason is that the federal government has cut off the funding for these inefficient energy producing methods. Solar projects, to receive government subsidies, must start construction in 2026 and be in production by 2027 to qualify for the remaining funds. There you have it. If it weren’t for our hard-earned tax dollars subsidizing them, none of these projects would get off the ground.
Solar farms are unreliable, expensive, displace more dependable energy sources (driving up energy costs), and are harmful to the natural environment.
We are proud of Idaho’s congressional delegation who fought back against the Lava Ridge Wind Project, in particular Senator Jim Risch. His efforts were key in shutting down this wasteful and harmful project. The delegation’s efforts removed this proposed, monstrous, eyesore, saving us from 241 turbines spread across 38,535 acres extending upwards of over 600 feet. What a disaster it would have been.
Now we need our Bannock County Commissioners to show clarity of thought in recognizing these “green” projects for what they are. In this case, the process is much easier. They don’t have go through a committee or convince other politicians to support their bill; they don’t have to negotiate with an executive branch….all by themselves they can, and should, keep the 2024 Industrial wind and solar ban in place.
I urge them to reject the out-of-state monied interests promoting industrial solar and preserve Idaho’s beauty and environment.
Craig Yadon
Chairman, Bannock County GOP
Candidate, Bannock County Commissioner
