Environment & Land Use Programming
NACo’s environment and land use programs elevate the county role in and responsibility to steward our nation’s natural resources and balance environmental protection with local economic and resilience needs. Participating counties are building effective working relationships with neighboring military installations, studying the costs of deferred maintenance of roads and bridges and driving solutions, advancing best practice in waste management, exploring local energy resources and navigating siting decisions that will lay the groundwork for our nation’s energy and transportation infrastructure.
Current Programming
Military Communities Initiative
The U.S. Department of Defense Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative Program helps manage encroachment and incompatible development near military installations. The program forms partnerships that protect military operations from restrictive development and strengthens long-term relationships between the Department of Defense and counties.
Recent Past Programming
How to Get Involved
- Join the Resilient Counties Innovation Council.
- Join the Energy Counties Exchange to receive updates on future energy programming and access a library of county-focused energy material.
- Complete this contact form to connect with NACo staff and experienced partners from Mana Group Consulting on energy topics.
- Email militarycommunities@naco.org to join the NACo Military Communities Network.
Sign Up for Updates
Key Resources
Energizing Counties Resource Hub
NACo empowers counties with the tools and resources needed to consider and facilitate energy projects best suited for local communities. NACo is developing resources and tailored guidance to assist local governments in navigating the opportunities and challenges of different energy industries.
Intergovernmental Collaboration on Disaster Resilience Case Studies Series
NACo’s “Intergovernmental Collaboration in Disaster Resilience” case study series highlights intergovernmental partnerships that empower local communities to take charge of preparedness, response and recovery, underscoring the critical role of the federal government in strengthening security and resilience nationwide.
Chips, Compute and Counties
NACo CEO Matt Chase: "The fundamentals remain the same [when it comes to data centers]: demand a seat at the table, study the supply chain, understand the financing capital stacks, ask hard questions and fight for a deal that leaves your community better off — not used and abused."
Water matters for data centers
Data centers often cluster in a few places, need treated water and use the most when demand is already high in hot weather. This growing demand is driving data center development nationwide, accelerating local proposals and the importance for county officials to understand impacts to energy, land and water resources.
County leaders push for a voice in data center regulation authority
County officials in states like West Virginia and Texas are limited in their ability to regulate data centers while still held accountable by their residents.
The "Backslash Backlash:" Counties pivot in the data center buildout
Data center development across the country has put a new focus on county policies, how they regulate land use and more for local residents and how they could shape the path for economic growth built around artificial intelligence and information technology.
U.S. Senators introduce bipartisan comprehensive permitting reform package with major county wins
On Sep. 30, the leaders of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee introduced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (S. 5653), a comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform package that would make major changes to several federal environmental protection statutes.
Foundations navigate community benefit agreements
Philanthropic organizations offer a specialized approach to managing proceeds from community benefit agreements struck between counties and energy companies.
The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act: What Counties Need to Know about Federal Permitting Reform
Join NACo staff to learn more about how recently-introduced legislation would modernize the federal permitting process, reduce unnecessary delays, accelerate project delivery and ensure local expertise is incorporated into federal decision-making.
Ready for El Niño: County Strategies for Preparation, Response, and Recovery
This webinar equips county officials with practical guidance to prepare for, respond to and recover from the impacts of El Niño.
Program Lead
