Detailed case study

Working with a team of legal and technical experts and client staff, CEA helped establish consensus among state and federal regulators to develop one comprehensive nationwide regulatory structure for regulating locomotive emissions. Our clients avoided regulations that would have imposed costs of $4-6 billion.

On behalf of an automotive manufacturer, CEA performed analysis and developed recommendations for compliance with zero emission vehicle (ZEV) regulations. CEA helped to revise the baseline design for applicable zero emission programs by including a process to provide incentives for placing advanced technology vehicles in California. This involved helping to craft future regulations, developing short- and long-term implementation strategies, and defining a stakeholder engagement process to build support for California?s recommended approach.

On behalf of an automotive manufacturer, CEA participated in crafting an implementation framework for future alternative fuels. A range of scenarios was evaluated for future fuels including hydrogen, low sulfur diesel, Fischer Tropsch fuels and natural gas. Economic, policy, and technical variables were considered.

Detailed case study

CEA effectively negotiated with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to suspend costly violations issued to Burger King while the search for cost-effective and efficient control equipment was being conducted. Issuance of Notices of Violation was stopped and the SCAQMD agreed to a two-year implementation period to provide our client with an opportunity to secure financing and install control equipment on its buildings.

Detailed case study

A large California glass manufacturer was interested in developing and executing an emissions reduction credit trading strategy that would protect their current manufacturing operations while stabilizing or increasing revenue through various air emission credit trading strategies. CEA developed a strategy to trade millions of pounds of credits and to successfully protect the value of the client?s air pollution emissions credit assets at a facility slated for shutdown.

Detailed case study

CEA worked with regulators on behalf of an industry association to establish a technically feasible and affordable level of nitrogen oxide control. Under CEA?s recommended program, emissions were reduced by 75% at only 20% of the cost of the original rule.

On behalf of one of the nation?s largest building management companies, CEA conducted indoor air quality assessments for multi-story buildings at multiple sites. Assessments were based on standardized EPA/NIOSH evaluation protocols. Methodologies included air quality sampling and testing for chemical/microbiological agents, HVAC system integrity, exposure pathway mapping, and an evaluation of individual employee symptoms. Recommendations were made to ameliorate existing exposure burdens and to optimize the efficiency of HVAC systems.

Detailed case study

Southern Pacific was interested in developing a strategy to decrease dramatically the likelihood of locomotives operating in potential violation of local visible emission standards. CEA worked with Southern Pacific and SCAQMD regulators to develop a strategy that would significantly reduce, if not eliminate, future violations. Through CEA’S leadership, Southern Pacific was successful in establishing a voluntary compliance program with the SCAQMD, thereby avoiding litigation and costly fines.

Detailed case study

CEA worked with UCLA to conceptualize and sell a retrofit rule for industrial cogeneration facilities in Southern California. The rule achieved 90% of the desired NOx reduction at 20% of the cost of original regulatory proposal, resulting in a savings of over $35 million in capital costs for our client.

CEA assisted in the development of distributed generation business plans for a major manufacturing company. Analysis included an evaluation of the environmental attributes of distributed generation technology, opportunities to develop next generation regulations, and the integration of auto and energy sector infrastructure.

In collaboration with state agencies, universities, and a major auto manufacturer, CEA is currently supporting the growth of station/shared car programs in the state of California. This involves developing a regulatory framework, technological infrastructure, and short and long-term business plans for station/shared car programs. The programs are defined to include the use of next generation vehicles, advanced communication systems, and customer optimized vehicle access/management systems.

CEA participated in a hydrogen strategy project with UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Humboldt State University that analyzed and recommended the role of hydrogen in California?s future transportation and energy sectors.

Timothy Lipman, Daniel M. Kammen, Joan Ogden, Daniel Sperling, et al. (July 9, 2004). " An Integrated Hydrogen Vision for California."

Detailed case study

In 2001, several non-profit projects approached CEA to help develop an efficient and highly client-driven non-profit organization that could serve as a fiscal sponsor. After conducting research on fiscal sponsors in the US, CEA helped establish a new non-profit organization to support environmental leaders in their conservation work: The Trust for Conservation Innovation. CEA provides The Trust with the staff required to execute its administrative tasks.

Detailed case study

CEA developed a business plan for WWF's initiative to implement the European Union's reformed fisheries legislation, the Common Fisheries Policy. This work involved the evaluation of WWF's current policy, advocacy, and research capacity throughout its network of national organizations in Europe. In addition, CEA evaluated the capacity of potential partners including other non-governmental organizations and research institutions. The final business plan outlined WWF's initiative strategy, organizational structure, and financial budget. The plan was designed to leverage WWF's current network capacity, as well as opportunities for collaboration with other organizations.

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
New York, New York

Detailed case study

On behalf of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, CEA evaluated the opportunities for a new programmatic investment to support the use of incentive-based tools for biodiversity conservation in the United States. In designing the program, CEA investigated past and current incentive models, barriers to success, prospects for national scalability, and financial leverage opportunities. CEA assisted the Foundation in evaluating potential grantees for the program. The project resulted in the investment of $10 million over five years to establish the Center for Conservation Incentives.

Funders for Sustainable Food Systems
San Francisco, CA

Detailed case study

The Funders for Sustainable Food Systems (FSFS) is a California-based group of public and private grantmakers whose mission is to promote a sustainable agriculture and food system in California. CEA serves as Coordinator for FSFS, providing staff capacity to organize and strategically lead their process forward.

North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC)

Detailed case study

CEA worked on behalf of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) with support from the Turner Foundation to identify strategic opportunities for pollinator protection in North America. The resulting report, Funding Opportunities for Pollinator Protection in North America, underscores the critical importance of pollinators and provides strategic approaches for organizations dedicated to pollinator protection as well as providing current and potential funders with funding opportunities for pollinator protection.

Detailed case study

Detailed case study

The Pew Charitable Trusts
Philadelphia, PA

Detailed case study

The Pew Charitable Trusts, a leading national philanthropic foundation, was seeking to develop a market-based program to encourage U.S. manufacturers to reduce their use and release of persistent toxic chemicals. CEA worked with the Tellus Institute to design a national program to promote chemical use reduction as a long-term business strategy. This assignment led to the creation of the Chemical Strategies Partnership.

Resources Legacy Fund

On behalf of the Resources Legacy Fund, CEA designed a grantee selection structure for the Sustainable Fisheries Fund, a fund administered to support fisheries pursuing Marine Stewardship Council certification. This work involved the analysis of funding objectives and opportunities for the Sustainable Fisheries Fund to increase the efficacy of the Marine Stewardship Council. CEA also developed practical investment criteria for the fund such as scalability, certifiability, and stakeholder support for potential grantees.

Roots of Change Fund
San Francisco, CA

Detailed case study

CEA worked with a team of funders to conceptualize and develop the Roots of Change (ROC) Fund. The ROC Fund is a funder collaborative supporting work to accelerate California?s transition to more sustainable food systems. The ROC Fund, working with an outside advisory board of experts ? the Roots of Change (ROC) Council ? supports key projects that will help California lead the way to food systems that protect public health, sustain natural resources and biodiversity, provide sustainable livelihoods for farmers and farm laborers, and support thriving regional food economies. CEA currently serves as the project director for the ROC Fund and coordinates grantmaking activities, project convenings, and ongoing administration.

Women's Environmental Leadership Legacy Network

CEA provides strategic support for the organizational development and ongoing activities of the Women's Environmental Leadership (WELL) Network, which is a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization uniting women throughout California to ensure the environmental health and well-being of families and communities.