Your Director of Community Management, Sarah Ann Shanahan is back from sabbatical and thrilled to be sharing all the exciting activities happening in our Network.

We’ve got in-person meetings scheduled for the first time since 2019! In Connections, find out more about one of them, our Annual Meeting. We also welcome KC Farm School, Urban Ingenuity, BikeWalkKC, Crosshatch, and Hilary Lewis as the newest members of the Network.

In May, we are hosting an in-person Energy Democracy Summit. Information about applications are in the Collective Strategy. We’re also excited to support a Farm Bill coalition of RE-AMP members working to ensure the next Farm Bill is one that truly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and provides broad environmental benefits while increasing equity and justice among those who produce food and agricultural goods and improving the lives of people in rural communities.. Find information about the Action Teams funded for this year and check out  our newest report-Transportation Planning for People & Climate.

Last month, we hosted a federal funding research week and put together a Kumu map to help visualize the flows of federal funds. Find out more or explore the Kumu map in Capacity Building.

Have a story to share? Contact Director of Community Management Sarah Ann Shanahan at sarah@reamp.org

Connections

Annual Meeting

Can you believe it? For the first time since 2019, we’re coming together in-person for our Annual Meeting! We’re so excited to be headed to Detroit, Michigan October 11-13th.

At the Annual Meeting you can expect to make new friends, learn new things, strategize with others, and have fun. We’ve got a local host committee that will be putting together a half day field trip, so we can get out into the community and get to know Detroit. If you’re unable to join us in person, we will be offering opportunities for virtual learning, strategizing, and networking as well.

The planning launches this month, so let us know right away if you want to join the team by contacting Sarah Shanahan at sarah@reamp.org.

New Members

KC Farm School, Full Member
We’re excited to welcome KC Farm School as a Full Network Member. They became aware of RE-AMP through engagement in the Kansas State Table, where they’ve been an active participant over the last year. Their expertise is in agriculture so they plan to join our Agriculture and Food Systems Hub. When asked why they wanted to join they said “RE-AMP’s North Star goal aligns with our eco-team efforts and our wider organizational mission of connecting people of all ages, abilities, and ancestries to their food, land, and community. We are committed to climate action as a step in helping farmers and communities.”

To connect with them, contact primary contact Lydia Nebel at lydia@kcfarmschool.org

Urban Ingenuity/Working Power, Ally Member

During our February Federal Funding Research Week, we brought in experts like Urban Ingenuity to help organizations understand the opportunities to utilize federal funds. They joined the Network to share their technical, legal and financing expertise to support communities interested in energy democracy and a just transition to clean energy. They don’t work directly in the Midwest yet, but hope that RE-AMP membership will help them reach more communities in the region.

To connect with them, contact primary contact Nora Barger at nora@urbaningenuity.com

BikeWalkKC, Full Member

Introduced to the Network by RE-AMP’s Transportation Hub, BikeWalkKC works to remove barriers to walking, biking, and transit for vulnerable groups and provides technical assistance for shaping public policy and urban planning. When asked why they wanted to become a member, they said “We see significant alignment with RE-AMP and our mission to redefine our streets as places for people to build a culture of active living. We especially appreciate RE-AMP’s leadership in centering transportation in the climate protection conversation, something we continue to find challenging in Kansas City. We are also eager to make more connections with like-minded organizations in Kansas. As the largest mobility advocacy organization in the state, we also believe we can make valuable contributions to our Kansas partners’ capacity and impact.”

To connect with them, contact primary contact Eric Roger at eric.rogers@bikewalkkc.org

Crosshatch, Full Member

A Michigan based group, Crosshatch has been involved with members of RE-AMP’s Agriculture and Food Systems Hub. When asked about why they wanted to become a member they said, “We are collaborators at heart and value the opportunity to learn and mobilize collectively. We have enjoyed our initial RE-AMP collaborative explorations, engagements and would like to continue growing our relationship and involvement. The current 2023 Farm Bill Campaign planning is off to a great start and we are excited to continue this work and explore additional ways to engage with RE-AMP and member organizations to strengthen our communities and environment.”

To connect with them, contact primary contact Ross Greedy at ross@crosshatch.org

Hilary Lewis, Individual Member

Hilary was drawn to RE-AMP by member Nachy Kanfer. She brings in expertise around industrial emissions, which isn’t a current Network priority, but a key area to reduce greenhouse gasses in. In her application, Hilary said “I am interested in building more ties with community groups in our key states to learn about their existing priorities and see how that might fit with our goal to reduce pollution from steel and build new fossil fuel free plants.”

Connect with Hilary at hilary@industriouslab.org

Want to introduce a partner of yours to our Network? We’re always happy to talk, just let Director of Community Management Sarah Ann Shanahan know at sarah@reamp.org. 

Collective Strategy

RE-AMP Energy Democracy Summit by Gail Francis

Strategize with other Midwesterners for energy democracy in Cleveland on May 2 & 3 for the RE-AMP Energy Democracy Summit.

The Program

We’ll be focusing on two aspects of energy democracy:

• Community Solar: How it can be a wealth-building tool for low-income communities; how to help people get it off the ground; how to make it truly democratic, etc.
• Rural Electric Co-ops: How to re-infuse them with democracy; how to make them leaders in clean energy and energy efficiency, etc.

Don’t expect answers to all these questions, but do expect to connect with other smart and passionate people who advance your thinking, or even challenge your ways of thinking. The program will be more about conversation than presentation.

Who Should Attend

People who are working on community solar or rural electric co-ops with an energy democracy lens in the Midwest. You are welcome to forward this invitation to partners who meet that criteria but who are not members of RE-AMP.

How to Join

Applications have closed, but if you are interested in attending check in with Gail Francis at gail@reamp.org or 715-558-4544 to see about availability.

RE-AMP Farm Bill Coalition Updates

As an identified priority area of the Food and Agricultures System Hub, RE-AMP is excited to share an update of our work on the Farm Bill. Members in key states (determined by identified target decision makers) co-created a shared farm bill platform and campaign plan and are actively moving this work forward. Our shared goals involve transforming the Farm Bill into a just and climate focused bill that supports rural communities. We seek to do this through our 7 point platform, which you can find linked here.

Additionally, keep your eyes open for an upcoming RE-AMP mini-grant request for proposals. We are looking to expand our campaign and involve more states, organizations, and actions and will offer mini-grants to a select number of organizations able to contribute. This RFP will be announced soon. If you have any additional questions, whether generally about the Farm Bill and how it might relate to your work, or about this coalition and platform, please direct them to erica@reamp.org

Action Teams for 2023

RE-AMP Action Teams are one way members connect with each other, set collective strategy and collaborate on equitably eliminating greenhouse gas emissions  in the Midwest. Members begin by assembling a diverse group of people who want to work on one of our Network’s strategic priorities. Action Teams also work in accordance with our guiding principles for equitable deep decarbonization. In December, the grants committee reviewed proposals for Action Teams. Below is the list of the proposals that were funded for 2023. For more information about Action Teams, contact Gail Francis at gail@reamp.org.

Influencing How Federal Transportation Dollars are Spent in our States Action Team

This action team will create tools and resources needed to mobilize people and organizations to influence how federal dollars are spent. The goal is to ensure that federal dollars are focused on transit and other solutions that get people out of their cars and where they need to go in a safe and timely manner.

Public Power Project Convening Action Team

The Public Power Project Action Team will host a convening of participants, finalize a report and share a toolkit so others can apply insights drawn from their report.

Monitoring Air Pollution for Energy Democracy Action Team

The Monitoring Air Pollution for Energy Democracy Action Team will support a skills exchange for air quality monitoring. The exchange will be between Detroit nonprofits that have already created a network of air monitors and Dakota Resource Council to help Dakota Resource Council affiliate Fort Berthold POWER establish an air monitoring network on Fort Berthold.

Midwest CAFO Action Team

The CAFO Action Team is a regional collaboration and technical training among RE-AMP members in at least four states (MN, ND, IL, KS) to build understanding, educational resources, and partnership so our organizations can help local communities and their leaders deter, advance oversight, and create unfavorable conditions for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Regional Collaboration for Grassroots Organizing to Repair Urban Highway Harms Action Team

This Action Team supports grassroots organizing efforts and collaboration across highway removal campaigns in the Twin Cities, Minnesota and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the end of 2023, participants will co-host a virtual event to recap the collaboration and create a forum to discuss best practices for community organizing on transportation projects. While this event would be led by action team participants, it would also include the broader RE-AMP network and community groups and non-profit organizations across the Midwest who are organizing around highway campaigns.

Food Council Action Team

Following a discussion of shared interests at the 2021 Agriculture Summit, a core group of RE-AMP members formed the RE-AMP Food Council Action Team, which recruited additional founding members from the community of Food Policy Councils (FPC) to create a campaign that would encourage FPCs to incorporate climate action and the RE-AMP North Star Goal into their advocacy and programs. With FPCs now actively considering RE-AMP membership and utilizing our tools, the Action Team will activate this network through a cohort of grassroot demonstration projects supported by core team members and wrap-around resources, education, peer collaboration, seed grants, and travel to the RE-AMP Annual Meeting.

Transportation Planning for People & the Climate: Lessons from the Midwest

The RE-AMP Transportation Hub is excited to announce the release of the new report Transportation Planning for People & the Climate: Lessons from the Midwest. Transportation, land use, and climate are inextricably linked. Whether people are walking, biking, taking transit, or using their personal automobile is largely determined by how easy it is to access the places they need to reach. RE-AMP wanted to see how well climate planning was being incorporated into transportation and land use planning, and vice versa. We examined all three types of plans in 25 different jurisdictions in the Midwest, and developed recommendations to help cities and counties plan for people and the climate. You can also find the webinar that accompanied the release on the RE-AMP webinars page.

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Capacity Building

Visualize Federal Funding

Just wading into federal funding but not sure where to start? Want to just see what money non-profits are eligible to apply for? Or is there just one program you want to learn more about?

To help simplify the complicated federal funding landscape, RE-AMP has built this map to visualize the flow of federal funds. It looks at money from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to eligible recipients related to RE-AMP Strategic Priorities (transportation, buildings, agriculture, and energy democracy).

This map is a work in progress, so if you have feedback or questions regarding it, please contact RE-AMP Program Manager Conor Cusack at conor@reamp.org.

2023 Community Power Scorecard by Maria McCoy-Institute for Local Self Reliance

Each year, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance tracks and scores states based on how their policies help or hinder local clean energy action. The states that score the highest let individuals and communities take charge and build the energy future that best suits local needs — whether it’s increased access to solar, efficient and affordable buildings, or choosing an electricity supplier who will create local jobs.

In the 2023 Community Power Scorecard, 4 states excelled, 14 states and the District of Columbia saw above average scores, 6 were average, 14 were mediocre, and 13 states received failing grades.

Here’s how states in the RE-AMP footprint scored:

1. Illinois (37 points)
2. Minnesota (24 points)
3. Ohio (22 points)
4. Michigan (13 points)
5. Iowa (12 points)
6. North Dakota / Wisconsin (7 points)
7. Kansas (5 points)
8. South Dakota (4 points)

We would like to promote this scorecard in support of legislative efforts – especially seeing opportunities in Minnesota and Michigan. Email me (maria@ilsr.org) if you have ideas or opportunities for us to plug in. Find out more about the scorecard and how your state performed: https://ilsr.org/2023-community-power-scorecard/

Federal Funding Research Week

At the beginning of February over 40 RE-AMP members and 10 guest experts in federal funding gathered for Federal Funding Research Week. Each day members conducted personal research on the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the ways to apply for funds or influence implementation. It was an opportunity both for people needing to figure out where to start and for those ready to dive into the details of specific programs.

A common question was “I’ve never applied for federal funds, where do I even start” so we started the week by hearing from experts with years of experience writing grants and managing federal contracts. It was a sobering, yet critical reality check to get clear on whether it makes sense to devote time and resources to writing grants. If you’re still not sure where to start or whether applying directly for funds or influencing how funds are used is the right path, check out the resources from the teams at Toole Designs and Asil Ventures. 

Montre Moore, who is working on a statewide project in Wisconsin, said “The IIJA and its reconnecting communities’ opportunities in [the transportation sector] has funding for non-profits that I was completely unaware of. This was great information for me to take back to the larger environmental justice network of the state to begin discussions around funding opportunities and greater collaboration.”

Devero Yellow Earring (North Dakota Native Vote) said “The grant that I am working to pursue is The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program. The purpose… is to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations working to address local environmental or public health issues in their communities… I was able to attend the office hours session with Lisa Green at Asil Ventures. We discussed the grant application [and] were able to go through the application to verify eligibility and the best approach to submit my application.”

The resources and knowledge gained over the course of the week can be found in a few places.

• Check out the map that visualizes the flow of money from different provisions as a starting point to figure out what is relevant to you.
• Explore the crowd-sourced resource table which organizes useful links and guides under the topic of each day
• Catch up on the recordings or review the slides on our Webinars page.

Talk about Climate Gathering by Climate Generation

Climate Generation is hosting a virtual Talk Climate Gathering 2023 on May 23–25 –– a three-day virtual convening centered on celebrating the connecting and transformative power of climate storytelling. You’ll come together with environmental justice leaders, community members from places experiencing climate change impacts, farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, policy organizers, religious leaders, and more to craft your climate story, build community, and influence change.

Details

Date: May 23-25, 2023

Times: 10am CT to 4pm CT

Location: Virtual Registration: $200

More information about the themes and program is on the registration page. Scholarships are also available with priority for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color participants.

Events

• Landfills Working Group | April 4 | Contact gail@reamp.org
• Buildings Hub Quarterly Call | April 6
• Ag & Food Systems Hub Monthly Meeting | April 17 | Contact erica@reamp.org
• Increasing Democratic Authority at Rural Electric Cooperatives | April 25
• Transportation Hub Monthly Meeting | April 26
• RE-AMP Energy Democracy Summit | May 2 and 3 | Cleveland, Ohio
• RE-AMP Annual Meeting | October 11-13th | Detroit, Michigan

Jobs

• Empower Michigan, Membership Coordinator ($29/hour)
• Midwest Environmental Advocates, Development Director ($50,000-75,000)
• Midwest Environmental Advocates, Staff Attorney for Native Nations Partnerships ($65,000-80,000)
• RE-AMP’s Annual Meeting Administrative Support ($25/hour)

The Network is at its best when members actively share stories and learnings. Share yours by contacting RE-AMP’s Director of Community Management, Sarah Shanahan, at sarah@reamp.org.