The Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI) is a national group that advocates for left-leaning environmentalist policies. The group claims that it is pursuing total decarbonization of the energy grid and has produced policy recommendations to assist in decarbonization. ¹ It is made up of energy researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), philanthropic organizations, and other advocates for environmentalism. ²

Background

Clean Energy Buyers Institute was founded in 2019 by a group of environmentalist non-governmental organizations (NGOs). ³ CEBI has stated that it was created by the World Wildlife Fund, BSR (formerly Business for Social Responsibility), the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the World Resources Institute. ⁴ It was formed to advocate for electrical-grid decarbonization and other left-leaning environmentalist policies to energy companies and customers. ⁵

CEBI is the nonprofit research and advocacy arm of the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA). ⁶ CEBA’s partners include some of America’s largest companies, including Disney, Microsoft, and Google. ⁷

Together, CEBI and CEBA compose the Clean Energy Buyers Alliance. ⁸ Clean Energy Buyers Institute assisted in creating the “2030 Strategic Plan” press release. The plan asserted that the alliance is rooted in its team of researchers that “develop solutions and advocate for a decarbonized energy system.” ⁹ The report states that CEBI and CEBA are working to ensure the U.S. electricity system is 90 percent carbon-free by 2030. ¹⁰

Activities

Clean Energy Buyers Institute launched its “Beyond the Megawatt” initiative in June 2022, which promises to help companies become leaders in the “clean energy transition,” and even improve their financial performance. ¹¹ The program’s largest sources of funding include Johnson & Johnson, Amazon, General Motors, and Walmart.

A Beyond the Megawatt press release claimed that incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into company management can improve financial performance. ¹² The initiative urges companies to consider social and environmental effects “as a framework for evaluating financial risks and opportunities.” ¹³

CEBI has stated that it is focused on energy procurement that is tied into diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). ¹⁴ Beyond the Megawatt is dedicated to “create tools and resources” to accomplish DEIJ objectives. ¹⁵ CEBI emphasized that the Inflation Reduction Act provides economic incentives to companies if they cooperate in “Embedding equity and justice in clean energy procurement.” ¹⁶ It has argued that a transition away from conventional sources of energy is a tool to address systemic racism in America. ¹⁷

In 2022, CEBI launched its Decarbonizing Industrial Supply Chain Energy Initiative, which aims to reduce the amount of carbon used in the development of solar panels and building materials. ¹⁸ In the same year, the group released an extensive plan to decarbonize the electricity grid. ¹⁹ The plan outlines how to allow energy consumers and companies to procure carbon-free electricity. ²⁰ CEBI lists companies such as 7-Eleven, Lockheed Martin, and McDonald’s as among those who participated in its 2022 “workshop series.” ²¹

Leadership

Clean Energy Buyers Institute’s CEO, Miranda Ballentine, served as assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment, and energy from 2014 to 2017. ²² She joined the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders in 2013. ²³ Bruce Frandsen of the data center company Equinix and Michael Terrell of Google also have leadership roles at CEBI. ²⁴

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15. “Why Integrating Social Equity in Your Clean Energy Procurement Is a Feasible Imperative.” Clean Energy Buyers Institute. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://cebi.org/blog/why-integrating-social-equity-in-your-clean-energy-procurement-is-a-feasible-imperative/
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17. “Accelerating Equity through Mind-shifting and Mentorship.” Clean Energy Buyers Institute. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://cebi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CEBI-Accelerating-Equity-through-Mind-shifting-and-Mentorship.pdf
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19. “The Next Generation Carbon-free Electricity Procurement Activation Guide.” Clean Energy Buyers Institute. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://cebi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Community-Guide_Oct31st_v1.pdf
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24. “Leadership.” Clean Energy Buyers Institute. Accessed May 25, 2023. https://cebi.org/leadership/