Emery County Republicans Pass Resolution Supporting Local Voter Approval for Solar Projects

Party convention also saw nominations for county commissioner, recorder, and clerk/auditor positions.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:02pm

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A serene, painterly image of a solitary solar panel standing in a rural field, the panel's geometric form contrasted against the soft, natural landscape bathed in warm, angled sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the balance between renewable energy and preserving the rural way of life.The Emery County Republican Party's resolution aims to give local residents a greater voice in the placement of large-scale solar projects, balancing renewable energy goals with the preservation of agricultural land and rural character.Emery Today

The Emery County Republican Party held its annual convention on April 9, where delegates voted on local candidates and passed a resolution supporting local voter approval for industrial-scale solar energy developments in the county. The convention saw contested races for county commissioner, recorder, and clerk/auditor, with several candidates earning the party's nomination heading into the June primary election.

Why it matters

This resolution reflects an ongoing debate within Emery County over the placement and approval process for large-scale solar projects, which some see as a threat to agricultural land and rural communities. The party's stance aligns with comments made by Utah's governor, who has called for thoughtful project placement to balance renewable energy goals with protecting valuable resources.

The details

At the convention, three candidates vied for the county commissioner nomination, with Kevin Butler ultimately securing the party's support. In the recorder race, Danielle Farley won the delegate vote, while Tom Hansen earned the nomination for clerk/auditor. The party also passed a resolution supporting local voter approval for industrial-scale solar developments, encouraging greater transparency and public involvement in land-use decisions while respecting private property rights.

  • The Emery County Republican Party convention was held on April 9, 2026.
  • The GOP's nominating convention, where delegates will vote on candidates for multicounty and federal elections, is scheduled for April 25, 2026.

The players

Kevin Butler

A candidate for Emery County Commissioner who secured the Republican Party's nomination after winning the delegate vote at the convention.

Danielle Farley

The winner of the Emery County Recorder race at the Republican convention, earning the party's nomination.

Tom Hansen

The candidate who won the Emery County Clerk/Auditor nomination at the Republican convention.

Spencer Cox

The Governor of Utah, who has weighed in on the debate over industrial-scale solar development, opposing an outright ban but calling for thoughtful project placement.

Emery County Republican Party

The local Republican Party organization that hosted the convention and passed the resolution supporting local voter approval for solar projects.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you to the Republican Party, and especially to the delegates who supported me tonight at the Emery County Republican Convention. I'm truly honored to have earned the majority of votes in the county commission race. I'm grateful for your trust and proud to have your support moving forward.”

— Kevin Butler, Candidate for Emery County Commissioner

“I do support making sure that we're building these [solar projects] in the right places. I do support those types of ordinances that would say, 'Hey, you can build them, but this is where we're going to have them. We don't want to lose all of our agricultural land.' That's something that I care about, something that's really important. We don't want to just trade food for energy. That's a mistake we've made in the Midwest for a long time.”

— Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah

What’s next

The Emery County Republican Party's nominating convention, where delegates will vote on candidates for multicounty and federal elections, is scheduled for April 25, 2026.

The takeaway

The Emery County Republican Party's resolution supporting local voter approval for industrial-scale solar projects reflects the ongoing debate in the county over balancing renewable energy goals with protecting agricultural land, water resources, and rural communities. This issue is likely to remain a key focus for the party and local leaders as they navigate the placement and approval process for future solar developments.