Our Mission

Energy Independence Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing innovative, action-oriented solutions to catalyze a rapid transition to a clean, renewable energy and transportation economy in California through policy, advocacy and research.

Background

Energy Independence Now began in 2001 as a project of Environment Now Foundation and was incorporated as an independent non-profit 501c3 organization in May of 2003.

The organization was created out of the recognition that California's heavy dependence on petroleum for transportation and other energy needs is unsustainable and responsible for many of the environmental and public health problems in the State. Additionally, we were motivated by the realization the California's particular dependence on foreign sources of petroleum leaves its citizens vulnerable to price spikes and geo-political instability. For these basic reasons, coupled with the recognition that emerging clean energy technologies could help us solve these problems and simultaneously create new opportunities for Californians, the organization was formed to help move the State towards sustainable, clean, and domestic sources energy for transportation.

Energy Independence Now's work is focused on education and advocacy related to supporting and catalyzing a rapid transition to a hydrogen and renewable energy economy in California and beyond. We work in partnership with government, businesses, and environmental and other public interest groups to develop innovative yet practical pathways to a sustainable energy and transportation future.

Board of Directors

Steve Fleischli, President
Executive Director, Waterkeeper Alliance

Daniel Emmett, Secretary/Treasurer
Executive Director, Energy Independence Now

As a young organization, Energy Independence Now is still building its Board of Directors. Please check back soon for Board updates.

Staff

Daniel Emmett, Executive Director
Daniel Emmett is a founding Board Member and Executive Director of Energy Independence Now (EIN). In his role at EIN, Mr. Emmett serves as advisor to the California Environmental Protection Agency on the development and implementation of the California Hydrogen Highways Network initiative. Previously, Mr. Emmett worked on hydrogen and energy conservation issues as the Energy Programs Director at Environment Now Foundation, where EIN was initially developed as a project of the Foundation.

Prior to that, Mr. Emmett worked for one of Southern California's largest owner/operators of commercial office buildings where he developed and coordinated a portfolio-wide energy efficiency and conservation program that has energy-retrofitted over 10 million square feet of commercial office space, saving millions of dollars per year in energy costs. Mr. Emmett has also worked at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, directing the USAID funded, Agricultural Policy Research and Training Program, and at Conservation International, both in Washington D.C and Panama. Mr. Emmett holds a B. A. from the University of California Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies and Economics and an M.A. in International Development Policy from Stanford University.

Rick Margolin, Associate Director
Rick Margolin is the Associate Director at Energy Independence Now. He has been with the organization since January 2002. In addition to supporting EIN's program activities and policy development, Rick is responsible for EIN's technical research activities. Rick also serves as Manager for the California Hydrogen Highways Implementation Topic Team for codes and standards, insurance, and risk assessment and management issues. Prior to joining EIN, Rick was an associate with a private sector business management firm that specialized in California environmental regulations. It was through this work that Rick became familiar with the hydrogen and fuel cell industries while working for a client that manufactures stationary fuel cells. Rick also worked on policy development and compliance issues pertaining to distributed generation, emissions trading, vehicle fleet rules, and electric vehicles.

Rick graduated from the Colorado State University in 1999 with a B.A. in History and Political Science. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Leigh Ann, and their dog, Reggie.