Energy to Communities Program: Peer-Learning Cohorts
Energy to Communities (E2C) offers peer-learning cohorts to advance local energy goals. Peer-learning cohorts are funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by NLR.
What Are E2C Peer-Learning Cohorts?
Peer-learning cohorts are multicommunity engagements that convene community entities around a common energy topic. Participants meet regularly for approximately 6 months to exchange strategies and best practices, learn in a collaborative environment, and workshop policy or program proposals, action plans, or strategies to overcome challenges.
In each cohort, experts provide up to 15 participants with case studies, analysis and modeling tools, templates, training materials, and facilitated collaboration to accelerate energy progress.
More than 200 community entities have participated in one of 17 cohorts.
E2C is now accepting applications for two new peer-learning cohorts.
Learn more below and apply by April 30, 2026.
Upcoming Peer-Learning Cohort Topics
E2C is accepting applications until April 30, 2026, for two cohorts that will start in July 2026 on two topics:
Cohort Description
As data center development accelerates, local and regional governments and Tribes are navigating new and consequential permitting, siting, and planning decisions. Data center projects can affect energy costs, economic growth, resource adequacy, water and land use, and other community priorities, creating significant planning challenges. To support informed, locally grounded decision-making, this cohort will offer expert insights, peer knowledge exchange, case studies, and lessons learned from data center development across the country.
Expected Outcomes
Participants will leave this cohort better equipped to understand and communicate data center characteristics and tradeoffs, identify potential project impacts, and plan strategies to mitigate risks and capture benefits that advance local goals.
Ideal Participants
Ideal cohort participants may include eligible entities with upcoming or ongoing data center development in or near their jurisdiction, as well as those in areas experiencing significant interest from data center developers.
Eligible Entities
- Local governments (e.g., municipality, county, parish, borough)
- Regional governments (e.g., regional planning commission, councils of government)
- Tribes, including Alaska Native Villages, Alaska Native Corporations, and state-recognized Tribes.
Preview the Data Center application questions and apply for the Data Center Cohort by April 30, 2026.
Cohort Description
Utilities that collect, curate, and integrate high-quality data into their planning decisions are better equipped to provide reliable and flexible electric power as demand continues to evolve. In the age of artificial intelligence, effective data management practices can unlock new opportunities for faster and more insightful grid analysis and planning. This cohort will teach utility grid planners and data managers about key data sources, storage and management best practices, and the industry standards and open-source tools that enable data integration across the utility to improve planning, flexibility, and service delivery. Participants will learn to identify necessary data for each stage of utility planning, where those data reside within the organization, and how data can flow across teams and systems to increase their value and effectiveness.
Expected Outcomes
Cohort participants will identify gaps in their current data collection and governance practices and explore opportunities to improve communications protocols and optimize data use across the utility. By the end of the cohort, participants will be better positioned to identify useful datasets and apply modeling, analysis, and artificial intelligence to support more efficient and accurate grid planning and modernization.
Ideal Participants
The ideal participants in this cohort include utility grid planners and data managers, or other representatives, from municipal electric utility and electric cooperatives that are seeking strategies to collect and leverage data for effective utility grid planning and modernization.
Eligible Entities
Municipal electric utilities and electric cooperatives
Preview the Grid Planning application questions and apply for the Grid Planning Cohort by April 30, 2026.
E2C Peer-Learning Cohorts Participants
For a list of current and past cohorts, visit the Current and Past Peer Learning Cohorts page.
Eligibility
Peer-learning cohorts are intended for participants that have decision-making power or influence in their community entities but need access to additional energy expertise to inform upcoming opportunities. Eligible primary applicants for cohort topics may include:
- Tribes, including Alaska Native Villages, Alaska Native Corporations, and state recognized Tribes
- City, town, or county (local) governments
- Metropolitan planning organizations
- Regional planning organizations
- Municipal and cooperative utilities
- Community-based organizations
- Other public entities, such as transit agencies, school districts, and housing authorities.
Contact
If you have questions about E2C in-depth partnerships, please email E2C.
Sign up for E2C email updates to be notified when program applications open.
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Last Updated March 16, 2026