By Rebecca Falcon | Originally published at Observer News Group
In 2024, the citizens of South Bannock County stood together to stop an industrial solar/battery energy complex from being constructed on 2400 acres of the Marsh Valley floor. This was only one of 4 proposed solar installations, but it would have had the most impact on the town of Downey and the surrounding residents as it would have enveloped homes and businesses as well as the interstate from exit 31 roughly to mile marker 34. The proposal, once thought put to rest, was recently revived as the county commissioners and Bannock County Planning and Development began to rewrite county ordinances to remove the ban on industrial wind, solar and batteries.
The same company that was defeated in 2024 was recently found to have been offering a contract to the city of Downey. Their proposal would pay the city $20k if they allowed said company to use the contract to convince the county commission to grant a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and a further $80k when work commenced. Keep in mind, this company’s website says that the project will be worth millions, making their offer seem very meager. Also included in their plans is a 300 mw Battery Energy Storage System or BESS. This is the same size system that destroyed the Moss Landing facility in Monterey, CA, only one of a dozen large facilities that have burned across the country this year while leaving toxins in the air, soil, and waterways around them.
The Marsh Valley area of South Bannock county is a diverse ecosystem of wetlands fed by a multitude of streams and the Marsh Creek. It is part of the Pacific Flyway, a protected area for migratory birds and a life source for the farming and other agricultural practices of the area. It would be incredibly foolish to put this natural habitat at risk, especially when you keep in mind that the facility in question would bring no power to Idahoans. It would be connected to the Populous substation that belongs to PacifiCorp with the power going to California.
Further, there are no emergency resources in this undeveloped area of the county to deal with emergencies like BESS fires. No amount of money can replace the damage that could be done to the wetlands. Our natural resources are far too valuable to risk for such a hazardous project. Rewriting the county ordinance to allow this perilous venture should be rejected.
Rebecca Falcon resides in Downey.
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