Environment, Energy & Land Use
Latest News
Featured Initiative
Rural Energy Academy
Current Opportunities:
Summer Peer Exchange: Apply now to participate in NACo's Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange 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.
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.
Recent Opportunity:
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.
National Stormwater Policy Forum Webinar
Learn about current policy issues driving the stormwater sector today.
2026 NACo Energy Symposium
Registration opening April 14: Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.
Rural Energy Academy
Current Opportunities:
Summer Peer Exchange: Apply now to participate in NACo's Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange 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.
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.
Recent Opportunity:
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.
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.
Resilient Counties Initiative
NACo works to strengthen county resiliency by building leadership capacity to identify and manage risk, and allow counties to become more flexible and responsive.
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connected coal communities, supported local leaders and built capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
SolSmart
SolSmart is a national program that helps cities, towns, counties and regional organizations become solar energy ready.
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.
