CNCounty News

Podcast: Rural counties fuel energy development

Olmsted County, Minn. Commissioner David Senjem. Photo by Charlie Ban

David Senjem’s opinion on renewable energy changed on an international exchange trip to Germany, and when he took office as an Olmsted County, Minn. commissioner, he wanted to make sure counties were positioned to be ready to participate in energy development. He’s now an advisor to NACo’s Rural Energy Academy, which helps rural county leaders navigate development and siting of wind, solar, battery storage and data centers and whether they are right for their residents, economies and natural resources. He and NACo Program Manager Blake Gardiner join the County News Podcast to share what resources and learning opportunities are available to counties preparing for energy production.

Related News

bike
Press Release

NACo launches 2026 Rural Energy Academy Cohort to support county decision-making on new energy projects

NACo announces the launch of the 2026 Rural Energy Academy technical assistance cohort.

2256651408
Advocacy

U.S. Department of the Interior issues new NEPA regulations recognizing local governments as cooperating agencies

On February 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a final rule updating the Department’s regulations for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; P.L. 91-190). In a step forward for counties, the final rule reinstates provisions that name local government agencies as cooperating agencies during the NEPA environmental review process.

1812264077
Advocacy

House Agriculture Committee advances 2026 Farm Bill

On March 5, the House Agriculture Committee voted to advance its version of the 2026 Farm Bill.