NACo launches 2026 Rural Energy Academy Cohort to support county decision-making on new energy projects
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WASHINGTON, D.C.- The National Association of Counties (NACo) announces the launch of the 2026 Rural Energy Academy technical assistance cohort. This three-month program will support 12 counties as they strengthen local decision-making on new energy projects. Rising energy demand, technological advances and shifts in state and federal policy are bringing attention to rural counties across the nation.“Counties are balancing the need to protect working lands, water resources and infrastructure, while responding to meet the moment of growing energy demand,” said Ashleigh Holand, Chief Program Officer. “The Rural Energy Academy gives county leaders the tools, peer connections and subject matter expertise they need to evaluate projects and make decisions that work for their communities.”
The Rural Energy Academy technical assistance is designed to provide a practical, deliverable-driven curriculum focused on engagement with subject-matter experts, county-to-county exchange and individualized support. Counties will work through themed content weeks to develop or strengthen zoning ordinances, community engagement plans or strategies to secure greater community benefits from energy projects. Local impacts and lessons learned will be shared at NACo’s 2026 Annual Conference in Orleans Parish (New Orleans), La.
The teams selected for participation in the 2026 Rural Energy Academy cohort are:
- Apache County, Ariz.
- Beaverhead County, Mont.
- Botetourt County, Va.
- Chaves County, N.M.
- Colusa County, Calif.
- Cortland County, N.Y.
- Grant County, Wash.
- Jack County, Texas
- Lyon County, Nev.
- Marathon County, Wis.
- Morrow County, Ore.
- Tom Green County, Texas
This Rural Energy Academy initiative is supported by Siting Clean Collaborative, a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact. Rural Energy Academy partners include Mana Group Consulting and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). NACo is grateful for this support and commitment to strengthening counties’ energy leadership.
For more information about NACo Rural Energy Academy programming and to connect with the Rural Energy Academy team click here.
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Rural Energy Academy
Current Opportunities:
Fall Symposium: Learn how you can join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle for the 2026 NACo Energy Symposium. This event will be held from September 23-25, 2026 and will cover the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America.
NACo's Fall Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange will take place in November. This event will focus on roles, opportunities and challenges that counties encounter with data centers. To indicate interest and be among the first to receive more detail, please complete this form.
Recent Opportunities:
NACo's Summer Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange will take place in Grundy County, Ill. from June 29-July 1, 2026. This event will highlight the opportunities and challenges related to nuclear and battery energy storage system (BESS) technologies.
NACo's first Rural Energy Academy (REA) technical assistance cohort launched in Spring 2026. Applications to join are now closed. Learn how REA can still support your county by completing this form to connect with NACo staff and program partners from Mana Group Consulting. Join the Energy Counties Exchange to stay informed on all energy resources.
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