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class=addthis_button_compact> </a></div><script>var addthis_config = {"data_track_addressbar":false};</script><script src=//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=ra-5284f66720239dd4></script><section id=interior-page-content><div class=hidden id=injectable-expandable-text></div><h4>Top Ten Recent Accomplishments</h4><p><br> You can also view a <a href=https://www.eesi.org/about/history target=_blank> timeline of our accomplishments since 1984 </a> .<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"allowfullscreen frameborder=0 height=422 src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/0fdhd47R-bo width=750></iframe><p> <p><strong> 1. Submitted recommendations to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI submitted an <a href=https://www.eesi.org/files/EESI-Recommendations-to-House-Select-Climate-Crisis-Committee-2019.11.pdf> extensive set of policy recommendations </a> for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change to the <a href=https://climatecrisis.house.gov/> U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis </a> . EESI Executive Director Daniel Bresette noted, “The Select Committee’s work is establishing a critical foundation of information and ideas that will inform climate policy development for years to come."<p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI’s response was wide-ranging and provided specific recommendations for Congress to consider as climate policy continues to take shape. EESI suggested ways to advance clean energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment; reduce emissions from the transportation sector; increase the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in new and existing buildings; and enact new nationwide policies to lower greenhouse gas emissions.<p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI also offered three high-level principles for the Select Committee to consider:<p style="margin-left: 60px">(1) The urgency of climate change demands near-term actions as longer-term policies are developed and implemented;<p style="margin-left: 60px">(2)  Reducing the risks of the worst climate change outcomes, and adapting to their increased frequency, magnitude, and severity, will require a cohesive, coordinated set of policies that are complex and interconnected; and<p style="margin-left: 60px">(3) Congress should recognize and support efforts by states and local governments to reduce GHG emissions and implement measures for climate change adaptation.<p> <p><b> 2. Testified before the Senate on the importance of energy efficiency. </b><p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI’s Executive Director, Daniel Bresette, was invited to <a href=https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=D7B30941-BF5D-4AA6-9078-C93C99739E22> testify before Congress </a> on the importance of energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, promote climate adaptation and resilience, and save Americans money. The hearing, “ <a href=https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/full-committee-hearing-on-energy-efficiency-efforts-in-the-united-states-and-internationally> Energy Efficiency Efforts in the United States and Internationally </a> ,” was held before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) on October 22, 2019.<p style="margin-left: 60px">“The urgency of climate change requires immediate action at home and abroad,” said Bresette. “Energy efficiency provides the easiest source of measurable emissions reductions.  It is the secret weapon against climate change.” Indeed, Bresette noted that “the building sector accounts for about 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. About 30 percent of energy used in commercial buildings is wasted.” Bresette remarked that “we already have what we need—in terms of policies, technology, techniques, and program design—to improve our energy efficiency.” One particularly helpful tool is on-bill financing, a mechanism that makes it possible for low-income households to afford energy efficiency upgrades. EESI has helped several electric cooperatives launch on-bill financing programs (see below).<p style="margin-left: 60px">Policymakers can strengthen building energy codes as well as minimum standards for appliances, equipment, and lighting products. Existing software and controls, high-performance building materials, and sustainable design practices can make a sizeable dent in energy waste. The Department of Energy alone has identified <a href=http://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/11/f57/22-fupwg_fall_18_vallina.pdf> $8.6 billion in measures </a> that would make federal buildings more efficient, saving money in the long run.<p style="margin-left: 60px">Though Bresette emphasized the importance of energy efficiency, he noted that “energy efficiency should come first. But that does not mean it should go alone.” He encouraged the Committee “to consider energy efficiency along with policies to stimulate advancements in renewable energy, transmission and grid modernization technologies, storage, and other sources of emission reductions. In addition, climate adaptation and resilience legislation is complementary to these efforts to safeguard the energy system and critical infrastructure from disasters and extreme weather.”<p> <p><strong> 3. Spurred the development and improvement of financing programs for energy upgrades in 12 states. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">“On-bill financing” allows households to pay for energy upgrades with low-interest loans repaid right on their electricity bills—hence the name “on bill.” Our approach emphasizes equitable access to programs so that renters, homeowners, or small businesses can participate. It saves participants money while reducing emissions and improving health. EESI helped develop and improve <a href=http://www.eesi.org/obf target=_blank> on-bill financing programs </a> in 12 states: Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.<p style="margin-left: 60px">In Colorado, EESI is working with multiple cooperatives and the City of Fort Collins as they all develop their individual on-bill financing programs. We are also working with the Colorado Energy Office as it develops a program to support on-bill financing in the state.<p style="margin-left: 60px">In Washington state, we've partnered with the cooperative Orcas Power and Light (OPALCO) to help them develop and launch the Switch It Up! on-bill program, which helps co-op members finance beneficial electrification projects and community solar installations. Launched in April 2019, the Switch It Up! program has financed more than 120 projects, for a total of $1.2 million in investments. We also helped OPALCO apply and successfully secure $15 million in no-interest loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP).<p style="margin-left: 60px">In Hawaii, we worked with the Hawaii Green Investment Authority (HGIA)—Hawaii’s Green Bank—to develop and launch the <a href=https://www.eesi.org/obf/case-study/hawaii target=_blank> Hawaii Green Energy Money Saver (GEM$) </a> on-bill financing program. GEM$ focuses on low-to-moderate income households and finances solar PV panels for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits. Launched in April 2019, GEM$ has financed more than $6.5 million in solar panel installations in nine months. GEM$ helps all Hawaiians, regardless of income, invest in clean energy projects to save energy, money, and reduce carbon emissions<p> <p><b> 4. Expanded our beneficial electrification efforts, to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. </b><p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI continues its efforts on “beneficial electrification,” the switch from fossil fuel sources (such as propane, oil, and gasoline) to electricity in a way that financially benefits both electric utilities and their customers, while also reducing overall emissions. EESI, now considered an expert on the topic, helped write and research a major report, <a href=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/report-equitable-beneficial-electrification-for-rural-electric-cooperatives target=_blank> <em> Equitable Beneficial Electrification for Rural Electric Cooperatives </em> </a> . In it, we showcase how beneficial electrification is as an ideal pathway for rural electric cooperatives to decarbonize their power grids equitably. EESI also held a Congressional briefing, <a href=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/030519beneficial target=_blank> <em> Electrification: Options for Consumers and the Environment </em> </a> , to encourage federal policymakers to think about ways to incentivize and facilitate beneficial electrification initiatives. Making electric cooperatives more sustainable would have a significant impact on U.S. carbon emissions: about 900 co-ops nationwide provide power to 13 percent of all Americans. Fifty-six percent of the country’s surface area is served by co-ops.<p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI has deepened its partnership with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which has made beneficial electrification a priority. EESI has provided critical technical assistance for NRECA’s statewide electrification events for electric cooperatives in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In Alaska, the City of Juneau asked EESI to help develop an on-bill financing program for beneficial electrification. We are now developing toolkits to make the move to electrification easier.<p> <p><b> 5. Redoubled our work on making U.S. communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change. </b><p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI has redoubled its work on promoting federal policies for resilience to climate impacts, with a particular focus on coastal communities and nature-based solutions. Such solutions include restoring wetlands and mangroves, building rain gardens and green roofs, and planting trees. Such “green" infrastructure, which is often cheaper than conventional “gray” infrastructure, can help capture and filter stormwater to reduce pollution run-off, mitigate the urban heat-island effect, revitalize neighborhoods and make them healthier, and create sustainable local jobs. (See our 2019 fact sheet, <a href=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-nature-as-resilient-infrastructure-an-overview-of-nature-based-solutions target=_blank> <em> Nature as Resilient Infrastructure – An Overview of Nature-Based Solutions </em> </a> ).<p style="margin-left: 60px">Throughout 2019, EESI conducted a series of briefings on resilience, including briefings on specific U.S. regions. EESI brought experts and community leaders to Congress to highlight initiatives and partnerships that are helping protect shorelines and communities from extreme weather events and other coastal hazards. We paid special attention to nature-based solutions, which can provide wildlife habitat and other co-benefits while protecting development. At our <a href=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/062519coastal target=_blank> briefing on nature-based resilience for Gulf Coast communities </a> , Congressman Charlie Crist (D-FL), who was previously the Republican governor of Florida, noted the importance of coastal resilience to his state, and emphasized that coastal resilience should not be a partisan issue.<p style="margin-left: 60px">We are providing input to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as they implement mitigation grant programs, like FEMA’s new Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. BRIC has been called a game-changer for shifting more federal funding to preventing and mitigating loss and damage from extreme weather and other climate change impacts. EESI is urging FEMA to ensure that the new grants fund projects that do not further contribute to GHG emissions and that prioritize nature-based solutions for hazard mitigation.<p> <p><strong> 6. Launched Climate Change Solutions, a biweekly newsletter. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI designed and launched a new biweekly newsletter, <em> <a href=https://www.eesi.org/newsletters/climate-change-solutions target=_blank> Climate Change Solutions </a> </em> , to communicate key happenings in environmental science and policy. EESI is focused on news that offers solutions to climate change, recognizing that most climate reporting can be disheartening. The newsletter includes a curated climate headline round-up, a short video showcasing an EESI briefing speaker, articles about climate change actions being taken around the country and about federal climate legislation and action, a legislative tracker listing relevant bills introduced and passed as well as hearings held, and updates on EESI publications and briefings. Subscribe for free at <a href=http://www.eesi.org/subscribe target=_blank> www.eesi.org/subscribe </a> .<p> <p><strong> 7. Emphasized the importance of equity, such as the need to reduce housing and energy cost burdens for people in need. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">In collaboration with Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA), EESI held a series of briefings on the benefits of federal housing and energy programs for low-income households, including rental assistance programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Weatherization Assistance Program at the Department of Energy, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at the Department of Health and Human Services (see <a href=http://www.eesi.org/020819housing target=_blank> <em> The Multiple Benefits of Federal Housing and Energy Programs </em> </a> , and <a href=http://www.eesi.org/091619efficiency target=_blank> <em> How Do Communities Ensure Federal Energy Programs Help the Most in Need? </em> </a> ). EESI and its partner EEFA want to protect and strengthen these federal programs, as reducing home energy use can lower utility bills and lighten the energy burden for low-income households; improve health, comfort, and quality of life; and reduce environmental impacts.<p style="margin-left: 60px">A third briefing in the EESI-EEFA series, <a href=http://www.eesi.org/091619efficiency target=_blank> <em> Energy Efficiency Jobs Are Green Jobs </em> </a> , emphasized the large untapped job creation potential for minorities and women in the residential retrofit market, particularly when it comes to efficiency upgrades in affordable housing.<p style="margin-left: 60px">EESI’s on-bill financing work also has a critical equity component, as emphasized in our briefing, <em> <a href=http://www.eesi.org/071619ruralenergy target=_blank> Equitable Solutions to Rural Energy Burdens </a> </em> . In pushing for more equitable solutions to advance clean energy programs, we have developed a fruitful partnership with NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program. On-bill financing is well positioned to reduce carbon emissions and reduce energy costs in an equitable way.<p style="margin-left: 60px">Recognizing the central importance of equity in responding to climate and energy challenges, EESI launched its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee to formalize its long-standing but ad-hoc efforts to infuse DEI considerations into all aspects of its work, including its human resources, internship program, and programmatic work.<p> <p><strong> 8. Launched a fact sheet series on aviation emissions and how to reduce them. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">Air travel is receiving greater public attention as a rapidly growing source of climate change emissions. Globally, the industry accounts for approximately five percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States, the world’s largest commercial air traffic system, aviation contributes 12 percent of the country’s transportation emissions and three percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas production. The projected growth of global air travel indicates passenger traffic could triple by mid-century, amplifying the serious climate change problem represented by this energy intensive transportation mode. The transition of aviation to a lower climate footprint will be especially challenging.<p style="margin-left: 60px">To help policymakers understand the challenges of creating a lower carbon aviation sector, EESI is publishing a series of fact sheets. The first of these, <a href=https://www.eesi.org/papers/view/fact-sheet-the-growth-in-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-commercial-aviation target=_blank> <em> The Growth in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Commercial Aviation </em> </a> , was released in October 2019. An upcoming fact sheet will describe mitigation strategies, including aircraft technology improvements, sustainable fuels, air traffic control efficiencies, the electrification of ground support equipment, the implementation of market-based offsets, and demand reduction policies. A third fact sheet will address threats to air travel from a warming climate, both for flight operations and for airports (many of which are vulnerable to sea-level rise and more violent weather).<p> <p><b> 9. Helped maximize the reach and effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy Savings Program. </b><p style="margin-left: 60px">Together with the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA), EESI is leading an effort to increase awareness of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which helps capitalize innovative on-bill financing programs that alleviate the energy burdens faced by rural households. At our July 16 Congressional briefing, <a href=http://www.eesi.org/071619ruralenergy target=_blank> <em> Equitable Solutions to Rural Energy Burdens </em> </a> , three Congressional leaders from rural Southeastern districts, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (SC), Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Sanford Bishop (GA), and Rep. G.K. Butterfield (NC), celebrated RESP’s importance and successes.<p style="margin-left: 60px">RESP has more than $120 million in zero-interest loans available through 2020. RESP eligible entities now include rural electric cooperatives, rural electric municipal utilities, and other entities, such as green banks and states energy offices that serve rural areas. In 2019, EESI helped several rural electric cooperatives secure at least $25 million in RESP loans to capitalize on-bill financing programs that can help low-income households make their homes more energy efficient.<p> <p><strong> 10. Had a record number of media hits, which increased the impact of our work. </strong><p style="margin-left: 60px">Our media presence last year exploded, with 106 <a href=https://www.eesi.org/publications/media-coverage target=_blank> media hits </a> , up from 55 in 2018. That’s almost twice as many articles and video reports mentioning EESI’s work or quoting our staff! Greater media coverage helps broaden our impact, as our articles, briefings, and fact sheets gain more exposure. The spike in press mentions was likely a result of our increasing online presence: 65 percent more visitors were directed to our site from search engines in 2019 than in 2018. Media outlets covering EESI's work included the Associated Press, BBC, Bloomberg, <em> CQ Roll Call </em> , C-Span, <em> E&E News </em> , <em> Forbes </em> , Fox, <em> National Journal </em> , <em> New York Daily News </em> , <em> Newsweek </em> , <em> Science Magazine </em> , <em> U.S. News and World Report </em> , <em> USA Today </em> , Voice of America, <em> Vox </em> , and the <em> Washington Post </em> . Highlights included: <i> </i><p style="margin-left: 60px">• Our work on resilience and disaster aid was featured in three top-level outlets, the <a href=https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/677915/the-bipartisan-push-to-budget-long-term-for-natural-disasters> <em> National Journal </em> </a> , <a href=https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-05-23/noaa-says-the-atlantic-could-see-8-hurricanes-this-season-are-we-ready> <em> U.S. News and World Report </em> </a> , and <a href=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/16/18617697/disaster-aid-senate-puerto-rico-trump-climate-change> <em> Vox </em> </a> . Bloomberg Environment referred to our <a href=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/050719nfip> briefing on the National Flood Insurance Program </a> in two articles.<p style="margin-left: 60px">• <a href=https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/11/climate-change-poses-major-threat-us-new-government-report-concludes> <em> Science Magazine </em> </a> and <em> The <a href=https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/report--us-already-affected-by-climate-change-65138> Scientist </a> </em> both quoted our then executive director, Carol Werner, in articles about the release of the <a href=https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/> Fourth National Climate Assessment </a> : “How many wake-up calls do we need? Every new National Climate Assessment has built on the previous one, confirming that climate change is already happening and that we need to act. Time is running out.”<p style="margin-left: 60px">• An in-depth BBC article, " <a href=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190717-climate-change-wooden-architecture-concrete-global-warming> Could Wooden Buildings Be a Solution to Climate Change? </a> " was inspired by our October 2018 briefing, <a href=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/102318timber> <em> Wood: The Building Material of the Future? </em> </a><p style="margin-left: 60px">• Our <a href=https://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/051319nuclear> briefing on decommissioning nuclear power plants </a> was broadcast live on <a href=https://www.c-span.org/video/?460643-1/nuclear-power-oversight> C-Span </a> , and our speakers were quoted in <a href=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/investigations/2019/06/19/nuclear-plant-decommissioning-findings-usa-today-network/1372318001/> an-depth series of articles in <em> USA Today </em> </a> .<p> <p>As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that receives no Congressional funding, EESI is deeply grateful to all our donors who make these achievements possible! Without donors, these achievements simply would not take place. Please see our <a href=http://www.eesi.org/funders target=_blank> funder page </a> to learn more about our funders or <a href=https://www.eesi.org/donate target=_blank> click here </a> to make a gift to support this work in 2020.</section></div><aside class=col-md-4 id=sidebar><nav class=subnav><ul class="nav nav-pills nav-stacked"><li><a href=/about/> About Us </a><li class=active><a href=/about/accomplishments> Accomplishments </a><li><a href=/about/advisory-board> Advisory Board </a><li><a href=/about/annual-reports> Annual Reports and Financial Information </a><li><a href=/about/board> Board of Directors </a><li><a href=/about/careers> Careers </a><li><a href=/copyright> Copyright - Creative Commons License </a><li><a href=/about/faqs> FAQs - EESI Overview and History </a><li><a href=/about/eesi-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-statement> Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resolution </a><li><a href=/about/funders> Funders </a><li><a href=/about/goals-strategies> Goals & Strategies 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