“In the 50-year history of the Minnesota Regional Development Commission’s network, until now, we have never collectively realized the authentic relationships with state agencies and philanthropy partners in the space of climate mitigation,” shares Cheryal Hills, executive director of the Region Five Development Commission in Central Minnesota and member of a GPI-led peer network.
Hills’s experience exemplifies the essential role of collaboration between government officials, agencies, and philanthropic partners for local climate action. One way to ensure this collaboration is through peer networks. Given the uncertainty of federal climate commitments and funding, it is more important than ever that governments commit to and realize ambitious local and state climate goals.
In part one of a two-part blog series, learn how GPI-facilitated peer networks in Minnesota drive collaboration, scale climate solutions, and support local clean energy goals. In part two, we’ll dive deeper into how our networks engage in the policy and regulatory space.
The impact of peer networks shows the need for expanding such collaboration in Minnesota and provides examples for other states to develop their own networks.
Peer networks as ready-made venues for stakeholder engagement
Through peer networks, GPI engages over 250 Minnesota local and tribal government staff and elected officials to quickly scale successful climate solutions, create partnerships, and engage rural and disadvantaged communities.
Generously supported by the McKnight Foundation and now in their third year, the networks have grown to provide a platform for collective action, including multi-city projects, grant applications, and state and regulatory policy engagement.
The participants share promising practices and lessons learned, fostering connections and partnerships on grants and projects among local governments of all sizes and jurisdictions.
The networks also connect members to various opportunities and expertise, including state and federal funding opportunities, technical assistance opportunities, climate and clean energy-related legislation and regulatory proceedings, climate planning, and community engagement.
GPI-led local government peer networks
Peer learning is already gaining momentum across the US through national and regional groups, such as the GPI-managed Sustainable States Network. State-based networks also play a crucial role and can be particularly impactful because each state has a unique policy, cultural, and economic landscape.
For example, the Community Energy Network (CEN) and the RDO Climate and Clean Energy Group (RDO stands for regional development organization) are impact networks that bring people together to develop strategies and address a shared goal. Similarly, the Minnesota Cities Climate Coalition provides a collective voice for local elected officials. These networks accelerate widespread climate action to meet community goals while helping the state achieve its climate goals.
Co-facilitated by GPI and Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), the Community Energy Network enables members to discuss clean energy with their peers and partner organizations. Members have also formed work groups to explore the complex world of clean energy tax credits, manufactured home parks, utility regulatory proceedings, and more.
“Being a part of CEN allows me to be well-informed on relevant grants and news. Specifically, understanding direct/elective pay means that we feel comfortable applying for it,” said one CEN member.
Through the RDO Climate and Clean Energy Group, GPI regularly convenes Minnesota’s ten regional development organizations to build climate expertise and secure federal and state funding for rural communities. The network enables these organizations to leverage their positions as trusted partners to connect smaller, underserved communities to critical resources that support climate and clean energy projects.
Heading into 2025, the networks are focused on taking full advantage of what is widely seen as the most durable federal funding for clean energy projects—the Inflation Reduction Act’s elective pay tax credits. Network members are also working together to make the most of state programs and funding.
Strengthening local clean energy initiatives through peer networks
Taking a collaborative approach has strengthened the networks’ role as a vital resource for advancing local clean energy initiatives.
In 2024, Minnesota agencies started leveraging the networks as venues for local government stakeholder engagement. The process supported the development of a US Environmental Protection Agency-funded priority climate action plan. It also informed several new federally funded state clean energy programs, such as Solar for All.
“Assisted by GPI, the RDO network now has learning opportunities that drive intentional focus on strategies that increase economic prosperity while simultaneously addressing environmental stewardship for Minnesota’s rural areas of environmental concern,” said Cheryl Hills.
Participation in the networks also inspired St. Peter, a Minnesota college town, to adopt a collective strategy for climate projects. After a September 2023 Cities Climate Coalition presentation on the Morris Model—a partnership between the City of Morris, the University of Minnesota Morris, and local organizations—St. Peter began strengthening ties with Gustavus Adolphus College. It motivated coalition members to form a work group on engaging local colleges and universities.
Continuing the momentum via local collaboration on clean energy and climate
Local-level collaboration across the nation is key to ensuring the widespread adoption of clean energy and climate-friendly policies. By giving local governments and communities a space to express their unique needs and realize their potential, a clean energy future can be accessible to all.
Stay tuned for part two to explore how our networks navigate policy and regulatory processes.
Are you a Minnesota local or tribal government staff member or elected official interested in climate policy and clean energy adoption? Are you interested in creating a local government peer learning network in your state? Contact us at [email protected] or visit our Communities web page to learn more.