Energy and Policy Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
EXPOSE THE HARMS POSED BY FOSSIL-FUEL AND MONOPOLY UTILITY INTERESTS TO RATEPAYERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $745,590
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 5.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 3
- Highest pay
- $85,493, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $693,482 spent. SEE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND GOALS, THE ENERGY AND POLICY INSTITUTE CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION IN 2024. EPI INFORMED THE PUBLIC ABOUT UTILITIES' USE OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE OPERATIONS TO GROW THEIR PROFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. BY PUBLISHING ARTICLES AND REPORTS, AND BY EDUCATING STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING OTHER ADVOCATES AND MEDIA OUTLETS, EPI INFORMED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF ELECTRIC AND GAS UTILITIES THAT LED TO HIGHER UTILITY COSTS, AND IMPEDED THE TRANSITION TO A CLEANER, MORE AFFORDABLE AND MORE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDED: -EPI PUBLISHED A REPORT ON THE SOURCES OF SUPPORT FOR OPPOSITION TO WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, AND FUNDING OF THOSE EFFORTS BY INTERESTS AFFILIATED WITH THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY. -EPI PUBLISHED A REPORT SHOWING HOW UTILITIES CHARGED RATEPAYERS FOR THEIR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, LOBBYING, CORPORATE BRANDING, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPENSES. -EPI EDUCATED THE PUBLIC ABOUT ACTIVITIES BY GAS AND ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO MISINFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THEIR ACTIVITIES. -EPI PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND REPORTS EXPLAINING HOW UTILITY COMPANIES, THEIR EXECUTIVES AND THEIR CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES OFFERED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO POLITICAL CANDIDATES AND CAMPAIGNS. -EPI EDUCATED STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PRACTICES USED BY UTILITY COMPANIES AND HOW THEY CAN AFFECT RATEPAYERS. - EPI INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED INFORMATION ABOUT THE DETAILS OF UTILITY RATE STRUCTURE CHANGES AND INCREASES, AND HOW THEY WOULD AFFECT RATEPAYERS. - EPI INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED ON HOW ELECTRIC UTILITIES HAVE LOBBIED AND ADVOCATED TO OPPOSE CLEAN AIR REGULATIONS. -EPI CONDUCTED PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT HOW ENERGY REGULATORS AND POLICYMAKERS COMMUNICATE WITH ENERGY UTILITIES ABOUT POLICY MATTERS, AND CONDUCTED LITIGATION TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC OFFICIALS COMPLIED WITH OPEN RECORDS LAWS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.