As clean energy projects continue to expand across the United States, state governments are increasingly working on various aspects of such projects, from permitting to community engagement. Yet these officials have had limited opportunities for sharing what they’re learning and discussing strategies with their peers. A new initiative, the States Siting Officials Collaborative, brings together officials from over 20 states in a peer network to accelerate clean energy siting and permitting.
The collaborative is an initiative of the Great Plains Institute and S2 Strategies, in partnership with the Conveners Network, and participants are government officials with roles in clean energy siting, from issuing site permits to providing comments on siting proceedings. Examples include officials at public utilities commissions, departments of natural resources, departments of agriculture, state energy offices, and more.
How the collaborative will support clean energy siting and permitting
Here’s a summary of what the collaborative offers participants:
Convening. The collaborative will convene state officials to collaborate on best practices, discuss siting dilemmas and barriers, highlight their siting or permitting strategies, and connect with peers who cover similar portfolios in other states. We have at least three virtual meetings planned for 2026, with the potential for an in-person convening.
Cohort-based collaboration. States will be grouped with peers facing similar challenges or circumstances—such as states with permitting jurisdiction or those where local governments have jurisdiction, states changing siting authority, difficulties coordinating across agencies and permitting processes, or host community engagement—to facilitate transparent and predictable decision-making and permitting.
Workshops and deep dives. The collaborative will also convene virtual small-group discussions focusing on key topics prioritized by state officials.
Technical assistance matchmaking: States can access and connect with national technical assistance providers, policy experts, and practitioners who can help address specific siting and permitting needs.
Learn more about the States Siting Officials Collaborative
We’re excited to work with our partners on building this network of state officials to facilitate peer collaboration and learning on clean energy siting and permitting.
If you work in state government and have a role in siting or permitting, please let us know if you are interested in learning more about the States Siting Officials Collaborative by contacting GPI at [email protected].
