Great Plains Institute Chosen to Manage Network

The Sustainable States Network Steering Committee has chosen Lola Schoenrich, vice president of communities at the Great Plains Institute (GPI) to manage the Sustainable States Network. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the mission of the Great Plains Institute is to transform the energy system to benefit the economy and environment. GPI has a long history of supporting local government sustainability, aiming to make equitable and inclusive action on clean energy and climate become the norm for all Minnesota and Midwestern cities and communities. GPI is a partner in Minnesota GreenStep Cities, an SSN member.  

“Local governments truly have incredible power when it comes to making clean energy and sustainability choices that will benefit the lives and futures of their residents,” said Lola Schoenrich, GPI’s vice president of Communities and the new Sustainable States Coordinator. “I am honored and thrilled to be leading the work to scale local action across the more than 2,000 cities engaged in the state-level programs of the Network.”

“We are thrilled to have Lola Schoenrich and GPI as our new Network Coordinator, Jess LeClair, Sustainable States Network co-chair said. “With GPI’s long history of action at the local and state level, and Lola’s extensive experience in networks and local action on climate and sustainability, they will help guide the Network’s trajectory in this critical next phase.” 

Multi-state initiatives include sharing local successes, information, tools and resources across states and helping the member state programs ensure that equity is integral to local sustainability and climate programs. 

“The Network collaborations are vital to ensuring that the lessons learned by leading cities are shared across many other states,” Jim Price, Network co-chair said. 

Schoenrich is joined by Kris Acuña, who is providing additional support to the Network. Find out more about the Great Plains Institute on its website.