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Informed Congress and the policy community about EPA's Clean Power Plan, examining options for states and low-income communities. EESI convened three briefings to examine key policy and legal issues associated with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan, finalized in August 2015 but placed on hold by the Supreme Court in February 2016. The Clean Power Plan is the first time carbon emissions from existing power plants, which accounted for 38.7 percent of domestic carbon emissions in 2014, would be limited in the United States. EESI kicked off the series with a look at the legal issues, with a briefing entitled, EPA’s Clean Power Plan: Will it Work and Will it Be Upheld? In another briefing, EESI dug into the issue of state compliance with How Are States Planning to Comply With the Clean Power Plan? The three briefings were covered in multiple media outlets, including ClimateWire, Fierce Energy, Penn Energy, and The Washington Examiner. One of the briefings—How Can States Comply with the Clean Power Plan?—was carried live on C-Span. EESI's Executive Director Carol Werner called the Clean Power Plan "a real opportunity for states," which can take advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency measures to grow their economies and create well-paid, local jobs. In 2016, EESI has continued to examine issues associated with the Clean Power Plan, including impacts and opportunities for low-income communities and communities of color..
Became a "go-to" organization for rural electric utilities launching on-bill financing programs for clean energy home upgrades. EESI’s On-Bill Financing Assistance Project is an ongoing initiative aimed at helping families reduce their energy usage, cut energy bills, and improve home comfort—all with no upfront costs. EESI achieves this by working with municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives to establish "on-bill financing" programs: households borrow money to upgrade their homes, and repay the loans through a monthly charge on their utility bills. In 2015, EESI's partnerships with utilities in Michigan and Iowa led to the development of on-bill financing programs with utilities in those states, with additional promising opportunities in Iowa, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Missouri. EESI will continue to offer technical assistance to utilities in 2016 and beyond to promote this approach to financing for energy efficiency, as well as community solar. The White House sees on-bill financing as a key, low-cost way for states to meet the Clean Power Plan's goals and help families struggling with high electricity bills; it has asked EESI to help make its rural energy efficiency loan program friendlier to potential borrowers. And, the National Research Council held a two-day workshop drawn from EESI's briefings on rural cooperative clean energy strategies.
Brought attention to the health dangers of gasoline emissions. EESI called attention to the pressing need to clean up our vehicle fuels, both to protect the climate and to protect our health. In addition to representing 27 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, tailpipe emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles release ground-level ozone and other potent air toxics, such as particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These pollutants have been linked to a host of health and developmental issues, including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cardio-pulmonary effects, and cancers. Auto manufacturers say new efficient-engine technology needs cleaner fuels to achieve higher performance. To inform the EPA and the public on this, EESI organized briefings and published fact sheets, press releases, and an op-ed.
Called for action to help communities face the impacts of climate change. Communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including increases in extreme weather and rising sea levels. Many of these communities do not have the resources to respond to climate impacts through adaptation strategies to improve their resilience, making federal assistance critical for them. EESI's series of four briefings and one issue brief made the case for climate change adaptation and increased resilience, and provided options for action. Better preparedness saves lives and money. For every $1 spent in disaster preparation and planning, U.S. taxpayers save $4 in recovery costs after an extreme weather event.
Helped “pave the way” for mass transit increases in the new Transportation Bill. A series of briefings at the beginning of the year, and behind-the-scenes collaboration with key Congressional offices, helped pave the way for a bipartisan six-year Transportation Bill with strong support for mass transit. EESI's Hill briefings, held in partnership with the American Public Transportation Association, focused on the investment needs of the mass transit system. EESI’s well-crafted panels had speakers who emphasized that such investments would be very worthwhile: every $1 spent on mass transit results in $4 in economic benefits. The 2015 Transportation Bill increases spending on transit programs from $8.6 billion to $10.6 billion in 2020—a 23 percent rise—and also increases funding for pedestrian and bicycle programs, a win for public health, mobility options, air pollution, and the climate.
Earned a Top 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits. EESI was deemed a Four Star Charity (the highest possible rating) by the nation’s premiere charity evaluator, Charity Navigator, for the ninth time since 2005. According to Charity Navigator President Ken Berger, "the Environmental and Energy Study Institute outperforms most other charities in America." EESI earned the highest possible score (100) on accountability and transparency measures. EESI was also proud to earn a 2015 Top-Rated Award from GreatNonprofits, the Yelp of the nonprofit world, for the fifth year in a row.
Showcased the growth and success of energy efficiency and renewable energy industries in bipartisan Congressional Expo. EESI played a fundamental role in organizing the Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo, which showcased a cross-section of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies to more than 800 attendees. Held in partnership with the House and Senate Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucuses, the Expo brought together 46 companies/organizations, six Administration officials, and seven Members of Congress (from both sides of the aisle). EESI also showcased renewables in several briefings (see list, including Find Out How Many Solar Jobs Were Created in Your State and Offshore Wind: Can the U.S. Catch Up with Europe?) and fact sheets (Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, 2015; Fuel Cells). The Expo's policy forum and all of these briefings were livestreamed, reaching a diverse audience of hundreds more across the country.
Helped increase federal funding for energy efficiency in buildings. EESI put energy efficiency in buildings front and center in 2015, and it paid off! Federal funding for the Building Technologies Office, part of the Department of Energy, increased 16.57 percent. This action came after an EESI briefing focused specifically on the Office’s budget request for 2016. Reducing U.S. building energy consumption would have a major impact, as buildings represent 40 percent of the total energy used in the United States and 70 percent of U.S. electricity usage. EESI also substantially expanded the number of exhibitors from the buildings industry at the 2015 Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Expo. Making buildings and the products that go into them more energy efficient will save billions of dollars each year, improve comfort, and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Emphasized the federal budget's critical role in moving to a sustainable economy. At the request of the bipartisan House Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus, EESI publishes an issue brief and convenes a Congressional briefing every year to examine the proposed federal budget's impact on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The federal government plays a critical role in funding early-stage research and development that the private sector is often incapable or unwilling to undertake, and as a market for clean technologies as the federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the country. Demystifying these complex documents for Congress, so that it will have a better understanding of the benefits of clean energy spending, is more important than ever.
Examined China's climate actions and renewable energy initiatives. EESI worked in collaboration with the ChinaFAQs Project of the World Resources Institute to examine the actions China is taking on climate change and clean energy, as well as U.S.-Chinese cooperation on these issues. Always a contentious Congressional issue, China has been the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide since 2007, when it overtook the United States. China will play a critical role as the international community seeks to keep global warming well below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit, as agreed during the Paris climate conference in December. EESI's briefing on China's actions, and an op-ed by EESI Executive Director Carol Werner in The Hill, made it clear that the United States is not alone in tackling climate change.
Celebrated 30 successful, impactful years of educating national policymakers and furthering win-win sustainable solutions. EESI was launched in 1984 as an independent nonprofit providing information and policy resources to Congress on energy and environmental issues. Since then, the policy community in the nation’s capital has come to depend on EESI’s highly regarded public briefings, email news, and technical assistance. EESI grew out of a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional caucus formed in 1975 by then-Congressmen Dick Ottinger (now our board chair emeritus), John Heinz, and Gilbert Gude.
Expanded our on-bill financing program—which helps rural households save energy and money, while reducing overall emissions—into a national effort. On-bill financing allows households to pay for energy efficiency retrofits with loans that are repaid through their utility bills. In most cases, the energy savings outweigh the loan's cost, leading to lower bills! Thanks in part to EESI's work, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making low-cost funds available to rural utilities for energy efficiency projects, including on-bill financing. EESI is helping rural electric cooperatives and municipal utilities design and implement such programs, providing benefits to them and their customers. On-bill financing programs can also be a compliance strategy under the proposed Clean Power Plan.
Showcased the National Climate Assessment, a milestone report, through a year-long series of six briefings. EESI examined the various impacts climate change is already having on different U.S. regions, and the devastating impacts it will likely have if allowed to proceed un-checked. EESI's briefings provided an overview of the National Climate Assessment as a whole, and then examined climate impacts in four regions: the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. A sixth briefing focused on the climate threats facing sites of national significance (e.g., the Statue of Liberty). Many of these are particularly vulnerable to climate threats such as sea level rise or wildfires.
Defended the Renewable Fuel Standard, which has helped level the playing field for biofuels as they compete with petroleum products. The Renewable Fuel Standard requires a certain amount of renewable biofuels to be blended into the U.S. transportation fuel supply, in order to spur economic growth in rural areas, lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and reduce carbon emissions. EESI brought in distinguished speakers who highlighted the latest research on biofuels, which finds them to be significantly more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. In a second briefing, our policy audience learned about cellulosic ethanol, a biofuel made with organic wastes that is just beginning to reach commercial scale. Weakening or repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard now would hamper an emerging, advanced renewable energy industry just as it is beginning to take off.
Highlighted the fast-growing clean energy sector for policymakers and the media EESI highlighted the critical importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency in our nation's economy. An EESI briefing showcased the 2013 solar industry job census, and one of our most popular factsheets was Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. There are now more U.S. jobs in the renewable energy sector than there are in the fossil fuel sector.
Shed light on the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions With a briefing, The Supreme Court and EPA Carbon Rules, and a fact sheet, Timeline of EPA Actions on Greenhouse Gases, EESI tackled the controversial topic of EPA’s rules on greenhouse gas emissions. EESI sought to help policymakers understand EPA's basis for action and why the Supreme Court has so far upheld the Agency’s rules.
Played a lead role in organizing the 17th Congressional Renewable Energy and Efficiency Expo EESI was a lead organizer of the 2014 Expo. A roaring success, it featured 41 exhibitors and 34 speakers, including two Members of Congress (Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Rep. Paul Tonko of New York). Over 500 members of the policymaking community attended the day-long event.
Showcased how buildings can be made more resilient while also making them more affordable and sustainable Two EESI briefings, Can Housing Be Affordable, Resilient, and Sustainable? and Building Resilience: Saving Money, Saving Communities, Saving Lives, showed that it is absolutely possible to have strong and green buildings that withstand hurricane-force winds, conserve energy and water, and remain operational during a power outage. Increasing energy efficiency in buildings is one of the best ways to address climate change.
Designed and launched a more visually appealing and user-friendly website that attracts more than 16,000 unique visitors every month. EESI completely revamped its website to better serve the policymaking community. A powerful search interface is one of the new website’s key features, giving visitors the ability to easily hone in on one of EESI’s 100 issue briefs and fact sheets, 700 web articles, 275 newsletters, or one of 250 recent briefings. The new site makes it easier than ever to watch briefing livecasts, and to view the full recording long after the event.
Received resounding positive feedback from our stakeholders, becoming one of only three environmental nonprofits in D.C. to be named a Top-Rated Nonprofit. For the fourth time in a row, EESI earned the Top-Rated Nonprofit designation and EESI continues to maintain a perfect score in Charity Navigator's Accountability and Transparency ratings. Charity Navigator, America’s leading charity evaluator, only awards full marks to the most accountable and transparent organizations.
Teamed up with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the University of Maryland to release Energy 101, a unique, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary model framework born out of the desire to introduce college students to energy literacy and sustainability.
Helped inspire the Department of Agriculture to launch an energy efficiency loan program for rural communities. In July 2013, South Carolina's consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives (co-ops) released the very encouraging results of their "Help My House" loan pilot program, with which EESI was closely involved. Inspired in part by these results, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program.
Earned top 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator for the seventh time in a row and named one of only five Top-Rated environmental nonprofits in D.C. by GreatNonprofits, the Yelp of nonprofits.
Pushed for fast climate mitigation through action on short-lived climate pollutants. EESI twice partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to organize briefings on international efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs).
Emphasized the value of minimum building codes to the policymaking community. EESI authored and disseminated a paper on The Value and Impact of Building Codes to help state and local code advocates make the case for the adoption and enforcement of current building codes.
Emphasized the urgent need to update the nation’s electricity grid. Transmission issues are growing in importance as the grid begins to integrate more renewable energy resources, and as climate change makes resilience a pressing concern.
Promoted policy options to expand energy-efficient transportation options. In March, EESI held a briefing in partnership with the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to highlight the conclusions of its Transportation Energy Futures (TEF) study. The study explored how U.S. transportation sector emissions could be cut 80 percent by 2050.
Examined how to ensure funding for critical investment in our transportation infrastructure. EESI published a comprehensive issue brief, Federal Funding for U.S. Transit and Roadway Infrastructure, detailing how U.S. funding for its transportation infrastructure can be put on a sound footing.
Shared the most recent climate change polling findings with Congress and the public. In an EESI briefing broadcast live by C-SPAN, Stanford Professor Jon Krosnick provided survey evidence that, in every state, a majority of respondents agree that global warming is happening.
Worked with minorities and tribes to expand the conversation on climate change. EESI partnered with the NAACP, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), and the Franciscan Action Network to organize a briefing on the disproportionate impact climate change has on communities of color and tribal nations.
Helped develop Energy 101, a U.S. Department of Energy initiative to spread energy literacy in U.S. colleges. A peer-reviewed model framework for college-level "Introduction to Energy courses," Energy 101 introduces students to principles of energy literacy and sustainability, and encourages them to pursue energy careers.
Published a "Blueprint for Advancing High-Performance Homes," which was featured in the Winter 2012 edition of Issues in Science and Technology and examined how homes can be made more energy efficient and sustainable.
Released the promising initial findings for South Carolina's "Help My House" pilot: participating households were projected to save an average of more than $400 per year (after loan payments) by reducing their electricity use an average of 35 percent.
Worked with the Embassy of Germany on a briefing about clean energy financing, which emphasized the need for a predictable investment climate, featuring stable policies that make it easy for companies to plan over the long-term.
Brought attention to the critical energy implications of the Farm Bill and argued for mandatory funding of the bill's energy title, which promotes rural development through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and investments in domestic bioenergy.
Called for increased adaptation, resiliency, and mitigation measures on climate change, following two of the most devastating disasters to ever hit the United States: Hurricane Sandy and the yearlong drought across the Midwest.
Showcased the rise of electric vehicles and what can be done to speed their deployment with one standing-room only briefing and two fact sheets.
Helped organize the 15th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum, which attracted over 550 visitors, 50 exhibitors and 32 speakers, including Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA).
Received Charity Navigator's top rating — Four Stars — in 2012, for the sixth time in a row. Charity Navigator is America's leading charity rater.
Was recognized as one of Washington D.C.'s Top Five Environmental Nonprofits by GreatNonprofits, the Yelp of nonprofits (thanks to your fantastic reviews!).
Completed the installation phase of our "Help My House" pilot project on innovative financing for home energy retrofits in South Carolina, in partnership with South Carolina's rural electric cooperatives.
Brought together climate and transportation experts for an adaptation planning workshop, Climate Adaptation and Transportation: Identifying Information and Assistance Needs, in partnership with the Center for Clean Air Policy.
Held a high-level, invitation-only workshop in St Paul, Minnesota, on bioenergy and climate change.
Launched Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests (SBFF), a weekly newsletter about sustainable bioenergy and biomass policy issues.
Highlighted green job creation with a fact sheet, Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which was accessed over 5,000 times.
Published an extensive issue brief on fossil fuel subsidies, Fossil Fuel Subsidies: A Closer Look at Tax Breaks, Special Accounting, and Societal Costs.
Provided comments on the proposed Clean Energy Standard to include Combined Heat and Power (CHP).
Held our first ever briefing specifically on Chinese energy policies. China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, but also the largest user of clean energy.
Informed policymakers about the benefits of sustainable transportation policies for the 2012 Transportation Bill.
The Washington Post published our op-ed, "Going Green Saves Soldiers' Lives."
Produced 33 videos.
Top-Rated Climate Nonprofit – 4-Star Charity