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Non-profit

Institute for Energy Research

Location:

WASHINGTON, DC
Tax ID:

76-0149778
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $1,225,208
Expenses: $1,452,948
Assets: $2,267,143
Founded:

1981 1

References

  1. “About.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is an advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., that conducts research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.

It sprang from a predecessor group called the Institute for Humane Studies of Texas, which was established in 1984. 1 Donors to the institute have included ExxonMobil, the American Petroleum Institute, and Peabody Energy. 2

Background

The Institute for Energy Research analyzes “the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.” The institute supports free-market energy policies and free-market responses to environmental challenges. 3

The IER perspectives are based on the tenets of free markets, objective science, public policy tradeoffs, efficient outcomes, and impartiality. 4

The Institute for Energy Research was founded in 1989 by a predecessor group called the Institute for Humane Studies of Texas, which was established in 1984. Charles Koch, a right-leaning philanthropist, was a founding board member. The Texas group was part of a larger Institute for Humane Studies founded in 1961 in Menlo Park, California, that later moved to George Mason University in 1985. 5

Donors

Opponents have described the Institute for Energy Research as being funded by energy companies as well as Charles Koch. 6

Donors to the Institute for Energy Research include energy firm ExxonMobil; American Petroleum Institute, a trade advocacy group for the oil industry; and coal firm Peabody Energy. 7

Other donors include two Koch family foundations, the Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation and the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. 8

Free Market Advocacy

The Institute for Energy Research contends attempts to correct “market failure” in energy markets must be measured with the reality of “government failure,” arguing that it is not possible to compare “idealized government actions with real-world market outcomes” since such policies are implemented by politicians and bureaucracies. 9

The institute argues private property rights, market exchange, and the rule of law have historically resulted in affordable energy. The institute contends that environmental public policy should be based on objective science, rather than emotions or improbable scenarios. 10

IER backs efficient outcomes that it considers in the best interest of energy consumers, energy producers, and taxpayers. The institute says government policies should be impartial and unbiased, which the organization defines as “predictable, simple, and technology neutral.” It argues that “this approach will spur capital formation in the energy industry and promote technological innovation.” 11

The institute runs the Federal Energy Spending Tracker, which is a database of federal subsidies for energy producers and energy products. 12

Policy

The Institute for Energy Research criticized the Biden administration’s move in July 2022 to release 4.6 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, noting the oil in the reserves has lower density and is more expensive to refine in the United States, which could drive up prices and make the United States more reliant on foreign refining sources. 13

The institute was also critical of the so-called Inflation Reduction Act that passed Congress with a party-line vote in 2022. The institute was critical of the $369 billion for climate incentives and noted the number of taxpayer subsidies for weather-dependent energy sources. In the meantime, the institute argued, the bill did nothing to address the rising energy costs such as gasoline and electric bills or to make infrastructure permitting less burdensome. 14

Leadership

Robert L. Bradley Jr. is the CEO and founder of the Institute for Energy Research. He is also a senior fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. He is an energy and climate change fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. He is the author of eight books. A former executive at Enron, he wrote the 2018 book, Enron Ascending about the company before its financial collapse. 15 16

Tom Pyle is the president of the Institute for Energy Research. 17 Pyle was appointed to the U.S. Department of Energy transition team for President-elect Donald Trump after the 2016 election. 18 Pyle is a former lobbyist for Koch Industries. 19 Pyle was previously the founder of Pyle Consulting and was formerly the vice president of the Rhodes Group in Washington, D.C. He is a former policy analyst for former House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-TX) and was the staff director for the Congressional Western Caucus. 20 21

Lisa Wallace is the senior vice president of the Institute for Energy Research. 22 Previously, she worked on Capitol Hill as a senior adviser to then-Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) and as the chief financial officer for the House Committee on Resources. 23

Preston Marshall is a member of the board of directors of the Institute for Energy Research. He is president of Marco. 24 25

Jim Clarkson is a member of the IER board of directors. He is president of Resource Supply Management. 26

Steven F. Hayward is a member of the board of directors for IER. He is a visiting professor at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy. He is also the author of the Almanac of Environmental Trends. 27

Wayne Gable is a member of the IER board of directors and the president of Gable Consulting. 28

Trent Sebits is a member of the IER board of directors. 29 He is the CEO of Pickrell Drilling Company. 30

References

  1. Sheppard, Kate. “Charles Koch Linked To Creation Of Fossil Fuel-Defending Nonprofit: Report.” Huffington Post. August 29, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charles-koch-institute-for-energy-research_n_5738868
  2.  Jones, Madeline. “The Institute for Energy Research: To Believe or Not to Believe?” Nepal Mosai Blog. Dickenson University. September 28, 2017. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://blogs.dickinson.edu/nepalmosaic/2017/09/28/the-institute-for-energy-research-to-believe-or-not-to-believe/
  3.  “Institute for Energy Research.” Charity Navigator. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/760149778
  4. “Institute for Energy Research.” Charity Navigator. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/760149778
  5. Sheppard, Kate. “Charles Koch Linked To Creation Of Fossil Fuel-Defending Nonprofit: Report.” Huffington Post. August 29, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charles-koch-institute-for-energy-research_n_5738868
  6. “Institute for Energy Records.” DBPedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://dbpedia.org/page/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  7. Jones, Madeline. “The Institute for Energy Research: To Believe or Not to Believe?” Nepal Mosai Blog. Dickenson University. September 28, 2017. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://blogs.dickinson.edu/nepalmosaic/2017/09/28/the-institute-for-energy-research-to-believe-or-not-to-believe/
  8.  Sheppard, Kate. “Charles Koch Linked To Creation Of Fossil Fuel-Defending Nonprofit: Report.” Huffington Post. August 29, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charles-koch-institute-for-energy-research_n_5738868
  9. “About.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/
  10. Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  11.  “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  12. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  13. McEvoy, Jack. “‘Major Problems Down The Road’: Biden Drains Petroleum Reserves Of Crucial Type Of Crude.” Daily Caller. August 2, 2022. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://dailycaller.com/2022/08/02/major-problems-down-road-biden-drains-petroleum-reserves-crucial-type-crude/
  14. IER Staff. “Manchin and Schumer’s ‘Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.’” Institute for Energy Research. July 29, 2022. Accessed August 18, 2022.  https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/gas-and-oil/manchins-and-schumers-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022/
  15. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  16. “Robert Bradley.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 20, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/robert-bradley/
  17. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  18. “Institute for Energy Records.” DBPedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://dbpedia.org/page/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  19. Sheppard, Kate. “Charles Koch Linked To Creation Of Fossil Fuel-Defending Nonprofit: Report.” Huffington Post. August 29, 2014. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charles-koch-institute-for-energy-research_n_5738868
  20. “Tom Pyle.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 20, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/tom-pyle/
  21. “Institute for Energy Research / American Energy Alliance.” Energy and Policy Institute. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.energyandpolicy.org/institute-for-energy-research-american-energy-alliance/
  22. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  23.  “Lisa Wallace.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 20, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/lisa-wallace/
  24. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  25. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  26. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  27.  “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  28. “Institute for Energy Policy.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Institute_for_Energy_Research
  29. “About.” Institute for Energy Research. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/about/
  30. “Trent Sebits.” Capital 7. Accessed August 20, 2022. https://www.capital7.com/team_members/trent-sebits
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1985

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form 990 $1,225,208 $1,452,948 $2,267,143 $109,872 N $1,168,447 $996 $323 $385,131
    2019 Dec Form 990 $1,713,823 $1,530,687 $2,379,895 $168,584 N $1,644,951 $25,209 $6,781 $354,091 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $1,624,133 $1,629,291 $2,269,052 $240,877 N $1,539,055 $51,973 $1,523 $403,861 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $975,648 $1,402,640 $2,186,740 $153,407 N $789,113 $121,122 $3,415 $354,712 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,952,491 $1,666,571 $2,705,753 $245,428 N $1,854,663 $22,233 $2,108 $415,572 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $3,062,228 $2,342,005 $2,526,382 $351,977 N $2,969,019 $377 $909 $424,235 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,842,148 $2,157,560 $1,947,583 $493,401 N $1,774,116 $650 $1,107 $485,289 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $1,586,020 $2,297,821 $2,534,969 $765,375 N $1,637,476 $1,237 $1,775 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,987,596 $2,069,661 $2,582,055 $100,660 N $2,052,381 $11,800 $3,865 $492,569 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $3,643,836 $1,934,408 $2,658,165 $94,705 N $3,627,312 $3,530 $4,036 $436,527 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $2,364,261 $2,209,927 $958,204 $104,172 N $2,387,289 $9,510 $2,865 $464,621 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Institute for Energy Research

    1155 15TH ST NW STE 900
    WASHINGTON, DC 20005-2706