Rural Energy Academy
NACo’s Rural Energy Academy empowers county leaders with the information and support needed to make energy decisions that work best for their communities. Rising energy demand, technological advances, changes in federal policy and increased attention on rural areas with advantageous wind, solar and land resources has created a meet-the-moment opportunity for rural counties interested in exploring or expanding their energy potential.
In this first phase, NACo’s Rural Energy Academy will focus on helping rural county leaders navigate development and siting of wind and solar energy projects and whether they are right for their residents, economies and natural resources. In partnership with the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), this initiative supports rural counties by providing:
- Resources tailored to rural county considerations
- Virtual community platform for peer engagement
- Site visits to rural energy communities
- Targeted technical assistance in a peer learning environment
To learn how the Rural Energy Academy can support you and your team, complete this contact form to connect with NACo staff and experienced partners from Mana Group Consulting.
Peer Learning
The Rural Energy Academy harnesses the collective experience of rural counties across the nation. In learning from peers with similar siting authorities and experience with different energy technologies or other key defining characteristics, counties will gain energy insights through real-world examples.
Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco Counties, Ore. Peer Exchange
In December 2025, NACo will co-host the first Rural Energy Academy peer exchange with Gilliam, Wasco and Sherman Counties, Oregon. These agricultural counties on the Columbia Plateau have decades of experience navigating the complexities of siting wind energy projects while reaping local benefits and are applying lessons learned to emerging solar projects and engagement with local data centers. This immersive one-and-a-half-day event blends peer learning, expert insights and tours of energy projects. Key themes will be:
- Siting and permitting
- Energy demand
- Economics of energy generation and storage
- End-of-life use
- Community engagement
Join NACo’s Energy Counties Exchange
NACo’s Energy Counties Exchange is an online community platform that connects county leaders with energy tools, resources and a community of peers focused on addressing the opportunities and challenges of clean energy at a county level. To access this community and all REA programming updates, sign up here:
Resources
The Rural Energy Academy is building out a range of practical resources designed to help counties through energy planning and development. Materials include energy briefs, case studies and custom energy profiles.
Coming Soon: Technical Assistance Cohort
In Spring 2026, NACo’s Rural Energy Academy will convene rural leaders for a three-month technical assistance cohort to help counties navigate energy-related challenges based on their community’s unique resources and priorities. In partnership with Mana Group Consulting, this intensive sprint will provide counties with informative small group sessions and one-on-one consultation to achieve action-focused results.
The application period will open in January 2026.
Related Initiatives
SolSmart
SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy ready.
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connects coal communities, supports local leaders and builds capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
Energizing Counties
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.
Project Contacts
Blake Gardiner
Padma Kasthurirangan
Jennifer Jenkins
NACo Primer for Counties: Renewable Energy in Farm Country
As renewable energy development accelerates across rural America, county governments are navigating growing tensions between energy siting and farmland preservation. This report explores national trends in utility-scale solar and wind deployment on agricultural land, examines the county role in land use and permitting and outlines key federal and state policy considerations.
New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns.
Eastern Tennessee counties collaborate on nuclear energy ambitions
Decades after the Manhattan Project, cooperation among Roane, Anderson and Knox counties in Tennessee drives toward a high profile for nuclear power.
Disclaimer for Content
This content is intended for educational purposes only. The National Association of Counties (NACo) supports policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to serve our residents. NACo does not endorse any particular strategy or approach shared in this resource over another. For official NACo positions, please refer to the American County Platform.