EESI History

Advancing Sustainable Solutions since 1984

EESI grew out of the Environmental and Energy Study Conference, a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional caucus originally formed in 1975 by then-Congressmen Dick Ottinger (D-NY), John Heinz (R-PA), John Seiberling (D-Ohio), and Gilbert Gude (R-MD), and which grew to encompass more than 85 Senators and 295 Representatives—more than two-thirds of both the House and Senate. These forward-thinking Congressional representatives from both parties identified a need for policymakers to have more access to fact-based information on energy and environmental issues.

Because the Conference was unable to support its work entirely on Congressional funds and Hill rules prohibited the receipt of outside financial support, the Congressional leadership of the Study Conference established its successor, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), as a separate and distinct 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1983. EESI’s programmatic work started in 1984 with four areas of focus: energy conservation and renewable energy, hazardous waste management, environmental challenges in developing countries, and groundwater protection. Our work soon expanded beyond those four priority programs to include a wide range of energy and environmental issues.

EESI, now controlled by an independent board of directors, continues to provide information and policy resources to Congress on energy and environmental issues. Dick Ottinger, the sole surviving co-founder, continues to serve on EESI’s Board of Directors.

In 1988, EESI's Board issued a policy declaration stating that it is a moral imperative to address climate change and that all of EESI's work should be looked at through a climate lens—a principle that continues to guide us today. EESI seeks to unite a range of constituencies behind win-win climate and clean energy solutions by emphasizing the multiple benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the substantial costs of inaction.

Testimonials

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)
	"Our efforts in Congress are aided by the great work of groups like the Environmental and Energy Study Institute and I'm thankful to have partners like you to help inform good energy policy."

Claudine Schneider, former Member of Congress (R-R.I.)
	"There could not be a more critical role for a non-partisan, public interest, non-profit than to advise and educate Congress on energy and environmental issues. It’s what EESI does well—and it’s essential that they continue to do so."

Dr. John Holdren, President Obama's Science Advisor
	"I think EESI has been an enormously positive influence on understanding in the Congress and in the public of the nature of the climate change challenge."

Anne Saliers, formerly with the Holland Board of Public Works
	"It was like a gift just falling in my lap that [EESI] was looking for municipal utilities and rural co-ops to help them develop on-bill loan programs."