In 2004, the first twenty RE-AMP members came together to address the climate crisis in the Midwest. Through their first systems analysis, members saw that the Midwest was contributing more than its fair share of pollution due to the heavy reliance on coal as well as the extraction of fossil fuels. They also noticed that the Midwest had an outsized impact on national politics. These two factors, the importance of the Midwest leading on climate and curbing our pollution, led to the launch of the RE-AMP Network.

Motivated by this unique opportunity for impact, a growing number of organizations have been working together as the RE-AMP Network and boldly tackling Midwest climate change for over a decade. Since its beginnings, the Network has been defined by its ambitious focus and by its innovative and adaptive approach to whole-systems change. Through ongoing systems analysis, Network members develop a keen understanding of the Midwest energy system and identify what changes would do the most to reduce our carbon emissions. They then collaborate to align their strategies across eight states in service of a shared North Star Goal to equitably eliminate greenhouse gas emissions in the Midwest by 2050.

Today the Network has grown to over 130 nonprofits and foundations with distinct strengths and an array of approaches.  While some focus on policy advocacy, others focus on building the political will necessary for climate action. Member organizations including Dakota Rural Action, Joyce Foundation, Ohio Citizen Action,  Climate Generation, North Dakota Native Vote, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Argosy Foundation, Black Environmental Leaders Association, Sierra Club, Center for Rural Affairs, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa, Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Black Sunlight Sustainability, Ecology Center, Clean Wisconsin and many others bring a diversity of perspectives that not only position the Network to build a broader and more effective climate movement in the Midwest, but also amplify Network members’ collective power and ability to achieve results.

The Network’s efforts to date have infused over 27 millions dollars to groups in the Midwest, led to game-changing policy victories like enacting some of the first renewable and energy efficiency policies, prevented 150 new coal plants from being opened, and retired over 200 coal plants. Together, we have reduced emissions in the power sector by 42%.