Impact
Since 1996, the National Environmental Caucus has provided state legislators with the legislative peer network, convenings, connections, research, and education to deepen their environmental policy knowledge.
Success Metrics
Member accomplishments from July 2025 - July 2026 demonstrate the impact of the National Environmental Caucus.
Coordinated state lawmakers across 34+ states and territories on joint actions to uphold critical federal protections, including the Clean Air Act and Endangered Species Act.
Nearly a quarter of state legislative committee chairs and vice-chairs overseeing environmental policy are active members.
Virtual capacity building grew as 391 virtual event attendees — including 134 newly elected legislators — were connected with peer mentorship, policy briefings, and technical assistance to accelerate state action.
By Legislators, For Legislators
Founded in 1996 by Maryland Delegate Leon Billings, the National Environmental Caucus began as an informal nonpartisan network of environmentally focused state legislators. Today, the organization serves as a resource to connect and inform state legislators working on environmental solutions, and to empower state legislators with the knowledge and network they need to protect, conserve, and improve the natural and human environment.
Our goal is to create a collaborative environment between state legislators by acting as a trusted and reliable source of information, connection, and research for member legislators in every state.
Impact Report & Legislative Session Recaps
Quarterly Reports
Keep up to date on the latest activities of the National Environmental Caucus network, as well as our recent events, new resources, nationwide bill tracking, and more for members.
Annual Reports
View the National Environmental Caucus’ Annual Reports for a summary of our yearly impact, state legislative highlights, and member successes.
Legislative Session Recaps
After each session, the National Environmental Caucus compiles highlights of the emerging policy trends and the landmark environmental legislation in the issue areas we work on.
Environmental Solutions in the Real World
State legislator success stories from across the U.S.
Utah State Senator Nate Blouin Works With NEC to Become Leader on Clean Grid Issues
Improving Electricity Transmission in the Age of Climate Change
Representative Mary Jo Daley Champions Wildlife Corridors in Pennsylvania
After working for nearly four years to pass a wildlife corridors resolution, Representative Mary Jo Daley sponsored and secured the passage of H.R.87 with widespread bipartisan support. Through meetings with NEC staff and resource sharing, NEC helped Rep. Daley develop legislation that built upon effective models in other states while aligning with Pennsylvania’s specific needs and goals. Policy Specifics: The 2023 resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee…
Minnesota Rep. Frank Hornstein Launches Popular E-Bike Program After Attending NEC Forum
After learning about e-bike rebates at an NEC Forum session focused on sustainable transportation, Minnesota State Representative Frank Hornstein passed a very popular e-bike rebate program in the state’s 2023 Omnibus Transportation Policy and Finance bill. By the Numbers: Minnesota’s rebate covers 50-75% of the cost of an e-bike up to a maximum of $1,500. The bill allocates $2 million for 2024 and 2025, supporting purchases of over 1,000…
Connecting Legislators to Drive Impact
The latest events and initiatives for legislators in our network
Bipartisan Grid Modernization Dialogue
Two days of learning brought together Republican and Democratic legislators from Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Participants explored how transmission investments could benefit different types of districts, with expert staff facilitating connections between lawmakers facing similar grid reliability challenges.
- 24 Legislators
- 4 States
- Bipartisan
Convening Northwest Legislators Around Regional Transmission and Energy Policy
Drought Resilience and Interstate Cooperation
Western legislators shared practical approaches to water conservation, interstate compact negotiations, and balancing agricultural and municipal needs. Participants toured innovative water reclamation facilities and connected with lawmakers implementing similar solutions in their home states.
- 18 Legislators
- 7 Western States
- Cross-Party
Soil Health Issue Brief
Soil health refers to the ability of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. Healthy soil is essential to clean air and water, diverse wildlife, abundant crops, forests, grazing lands, and vibrant landscapes. Throughout the nation, healthy soil:
Emerging Issue: Data Center Impacts
As data centers proliferated nationwide, NEC convened legislators from states experiencing rapid growth to share strategies for community benefit agreements, grid impact assessments, and local economic development approaches. Participants exchanged draft legislation and connected for ongoing collaboration.
- 32 Legislators
- 12 States
- Proactive
Data Centers Policy Options
Data centers are rapidly expanding across the United States, driving sharp increases in electricity demand, exacerbating rising household energy costs, and adding growing pressure on local water systems and land use. Forecasts for data center electricity consumption continue to climb, prompting the buildout of additional energy infrastructure while straining electric grids and consumer energy bills. Beyond energy demand, data centers can deplete local water resources, worsen air pollution, consume rural land, and incentivize further fossil fuel development, among other environmental and community impacts. In response, state legislators are increasingly considering guardrails for this rapidly growing industry to protect communities, consumers, and the environment.
What Members Say
“[The National Environmental Caucus] has been tremendously helpful in connecting me with other legislators in this space and offering resources and encouragement. It's wonderful to be connected with a community of people who care as much about environmental concerns as I do.”
Senator Lisa Cutter
Colorado
Why Join the National Environmental Caucus
In addition to acting as a peer network, the National Environmental Caucus acts as a conduit to connect legislators to experts in a wide variety of environmental issues, including:
- Clean, affordable energy and transportation
- Land, water, and wildlife conservation
- Healthy human and natural environments
- Sustainable blue economies and resilient coasts
Support the Network
Your generosity helps create opportunities for state legislators to meet, collaborate, and improve lives in their states.
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Stay up to date on upcoming events, opportunities to expand your network, and the latest environmental policy trends from across the U.S.
