Douglas County, Kansas

Douglas County, Kansas, in partnership with the Metropolitan Energy Center, is advancing an energy initiative to address rising energy costs and the growing need for affordable, energy-efficient homes and community-facing buildings in both rural and urban areas of the County. Guided by extensive community feedback gathered through the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Adapt Douglas County, this effort is focused on developing a public-private partnership framework that prioritizes energy affordability, housing stability, and resilience in community-facing buildings and affordable housing across the County.

Douglas County is working with community partners to co-create energy programming that aligns with existing housing and utility affordability programs, ensuring potential upgrades are accessible and complementary to current services rather than burdensome to residents and nonprofits.

The project emphasizes market-building and pipeline development to support potential long-term implementation. Key activities include expanding and updating the County’s online Energy Hub, sharing practical resources, research findings, and lessons learned, and working directly with building stakeholders. These efforts are intended to inform future decisions, preserve affordability, reduce operating costs, and support equitable outcomes as clean energy investments scale.

While specific projects are still being explored and refined, the coalition is actively developing a pipeline of potential clean energy and energy-efficiency opportunities. Anticipated focus areas include energy-efficiency retrofits for existing buildings; distributed energy systems and solar microgrids serving low-income and disadvantaged communities, government buildings, and community spaces; and the integration of clean, energy-efficient practices into future single- and multifamily housing development.

Together, these efforts position Douglas County to identify and advance practical clean energy solutions appropriate for both urban and rural contexts, with the goal of improving affordability, resilience, and quality of life for the communities it serves.

At the center of the initiative is the development of a local residential energy efficiency program designed to make homes safer and more comfortable while lowering utility bills for both tenants and homeowners. Douglas County is working with community partners to co-create clean energy programming that aligns with existing housing and utility affordability programs, ensuring upgrades are accessible and complementary to current services rather than burdensome to residents.

The project emphasizes market-building and pipeline development to support long-term implementation. Key activities include expanding and updating the County’s online Energy Hub with practical resources, research findings, and lessons learned, and working directly with building stakeholders—such as local landlords and housing developers—to develop standardized contract language that limits cost pass-throughs for properties receiving infrastructure upgrades. These steps are intended to preserve affordability, reduce transaction costs, and support equitable outcomes as clean energy investments scale.

While specific projects continue to be refined, the coalition is actively developing a pipeline of clean energy and energy efficiency investments located entirely within Douglas County. Anticipated focus areas include energy efficiency retrofits for existing buildings; distributed energy systems and solar microgrids serving low-income and disadvantaged communities, government buildings, and community spaces; and the integration of clean, energy-efficient practices into future single- and multifamily housing development.

Together, these efforts position Douglas County to deliver practical, rural-appropriate clean energy solutions that improve affordability, resilience, and quality of life for the communities it serves.

At the center of the plan is the development of a local residential energy efficiency program designed to make homes safer and more comfortable while lowering utility bills for tenants and homeowners. Douglas County is working with community partners to co-create clean energy programming that aligns with existing housing and utility affordability initiatives, ensuring that efficiency upgrades and distributed energy investments complement—not complicate—current support systems.  

The project focuses on market-building and early pipeline development rather than immediate construction. Planned activities include strengthening the County’s online Energy Hub with accessible resources, research findings, and lessons learned, and working closely with building stakeholders—such as landlords and housing developers—to develop standardized contract language that limits cost pass-throughs for properties receiving infrastructure upgrades. These steps are intended to reduce transaction costs, preserve affordability, and improve long-term outcomes for residents.  

All potential projects will be located within Douglas County and are expected to include energy efficiency retrofits to existing buildings; solar microgrids and distributed energy systems for low-income and disadvantaged areas, government buildings, and community spaces; and clean energy-ready practices for future single- and multifamily housing development.  

Together, these efforts position Douglas County to deliver practical, rural-appropriate clean energy solutions that improve affordability, resilience, and quality of life for the communities it serves.