Center for Resource Solutions
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit founded in 1997 that develops the Green-e clean energy certification, the CEAP clean energy accounting standards, and the CETC tracking infrastructure for utilities, corporate buyers, project developers, and government agencies worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Center for Resource Solutions does
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It creates policy and market solutions that advance sustainable energy, working internationally with utilities, corporate buyers, government agencies, project developers, energy attribute certificate (EAC) tracking systems, and grid operators. CRS is best known for the Green-e® certification program, described as the trusted global leader in clean energy certification, which verified over 125 million retail megawatt-hours in 2023. The organization is funded through program sponsorships, foundation grants, and mission-driven advisory engagements rather than disclosed equity financing.
CRS's core programs include Green-e® Certification (consumer protection and verification for renewable energy and carbon offsets), the Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP, launched in 2020) which develops stakeholder-reviewed accounting guidance covering residual mix, granular matching, impactful procurement, and clean fuels, and the Clean Energy Tracking Collaborative (CETC) which convenes regulators, tracking system operators, and industry leaders to evolve EAC tracking infrastructure. Supporting programs include CRS Listed™ (a facility-level designation tied to Green-e eligibility), the Green Power Leadership Awards (GPLAs), the annual Renewable Energy Markets Conference (REM), advisory services, and the China Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP), which has operated for over 20 years with support from the Energy Foundation, GIZ, and the World Bank. The technology layer is primarily standards-based rather than software-based: Green-e, CEAP, and CETC outputs are guidelines, certifications, and convening forums, with no proprietary AI/ML components, APIs, or mobile products disclosed.
CRS generates revenue primarily through mission-driven advisory services (coaching, workshops, trainings, policy design, and custom consulting) and program grants. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Founding partners (Apple, Meta, Entergy) and advisory committee members (Google, Constellation, AT&T, 3Degrees, CDP, Clean Energy Buyers Institute) contribute via sponsorship and in-kind participation rather than disclosed equity. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operated by a small leadership team including Directors of Technical Projects (Todd Jones, Rachael Terada) and Director of Policy (Chris Cooper), with founder Jan Hamrin credited as the original founder.
Center for Resource Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Resource Solutions
- Legal name
- Center for Resource Solutions
- Website
- https://resource-solutions.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a San Francisco-based nonprofit founded in 1997 that develops the Green-e clean energy certification, the CEAP clean energy accounting standards, and the CETC tracking infrastructure for utilities, corporate buyers, project developers, and government agencies worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Resource Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Energy Certification and Policy Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620)
- SIC
- Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance (EUAMANAF)
Keywords
Where Center for Resource Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Center for Resource Solutions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Advisory Services: CRS provides mission-driven advisory services to help organizations navigate their clean energy transitions and achieve decarbonization goals, including coaching, workshops, trainings, policy design, and custom consulting engagements.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Center for Resource Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a nonprofit that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy through the Green-e certification program for renewable energy and carbon offsets, the Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP) for standardized emissions accounting guidance, and the Clean Energy Tracking Collaborative (CETC) for energy attribute certificate tracking. It also provides mission-driven advisory services covering market development, procurement strategies, emissions accounting, policy design, and energy tracking system guidance.
Product overview
Center for Resource Solutions is a nonprofit organization that operates a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on advancing sustainable energy through policy, market development, certification, and standards. The core offerings include the Green-e® Certification program (a consumer protection and verification mechanism for clean energy products), the Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP) which develops accounting guidance, and the Clean Energy Tracking Collaborative (CETC) which advances energy tracking infrastructure. Supporting programs include the CRS Listed™ facility designation, Green Power Leadership Awards (GPLAs), Advisory Services for organizations navigating clean energy transitions, and the annual Renewable Energy Markets Conference (REM™). The China Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP) extends international market development efforts. Together, these programs create a comprehensive ecosystem supporting renewable energy market integrity, policy development, and consumer protection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Green-e: The trusted global leader in clean energy certification, making it easy for businesses and individuals to purchase verified clean energy with confidence.
Products and services
- Green-e Certification
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 125 million retail MWh certified through Green-e (2023 data)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Center for Resource Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Center for Resource Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Center for Resource Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- ApplecoreCEAP Founding Partner with extraordinary early commitment. Provides advanced understanding of clean energy procurement in the technology industry. Guides CEAP priorities, strengthens standards discussions, and collaborates with other Advisory Committee members.
- MetacoreCEAP Founding Partner with early commitment. Contributes advanced understanding of clean energy procurement to guide CEAP priorities and support activities. 25 years of CRS leadership makes it exceptionally qualified to solve energy accounting questions.
- EntergycoreCEAP Founding Partner with extraordinary early commitment. Provides utility sector perspective on clean energy procurement to advance CEAP goals.
- 3DegreessupportingAdvisory Committee member providing input on CEAP priorities and clean energy accounting challenges.
- AT&TsupportingAdvisory Committee member contributing to clean energy and GHG accounting guidance development.
- GooglecoreAdvisory Committee member and funder of research including Accelerating Corporate Renewable Energy Engagement in China report.
- ConstellationsupportingAdvisory Committee member contributing to CEAP priorities and clean energy accounting guidance development.
- Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI)coreAdvisory Committee member and key collaborator on consensus-driven work essential to advancing voluntary market participation. Provided endorsement of CEAP mission.
- CDPsupportingAdvisory Committee member contributing to clean energy accounting guidance development.
- Granular EnergysupportingInitiative Sponsor for Hourly Utility Product Design Options, providing expertise and guidance throughout CEAP initiative development.
- Retail Energy Advancement LeaguesupportingInitiative Sponsor for Power Source and Emissions Disclosure initiative, contributing expertise and guidance to CEAP project development.
- Energy FoundationcoreSan Francisco-based foundation supporting the China Sustainable Energy Program (CSEP), an effort enabling CRS to make renewable energy a significant component of China's national energy system for over 20 years.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)supportingGerman sustainable development organization that supported CRS in developing reports and trainings for Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission on clean energy certificate programs.
- World BanksupportingInternational organization with which CRS has continuing joint projects as part of CSEP work supporting US/China MOU on addressing global climate change.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Center for Resource Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI): Mission-aligned nonprofit convening corporate clean energy buyers and developing buyer guidance. CEBI's focus on demand-side education, supplier engagement, and consensus frameworks closely mirrors CRS's CEAP and CETC activities; the two organizations already collaborate as CEAP Advisory Committee partners.
- Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI/WBCSD): The dominant global standard-setter for corporate GHG accounting (Scope 1/2/3). CRS's CEAP work on residual mix, hourly matching, and REC accounting is functionally complementary — and competitive — to GHG Protocol's Scope 2 Guidance, making it the closest authoritative peer.
- CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Global disclosure system for environmental impact used by 20,000+ companies. CDP's climate questionnaire and scoring methodology directly intersect CRS's clean energy accounting guidance, and CDP already participates on CEAP's Advisory Committee.
- Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Corporate net-zero standard-setter defining how companies set emissions targets. SBTi's expansion into market-based Scope 2 rules creates direct overlap with CRS's CEAP guidance on credible energy claims.
- Climate Group (RE100): International nonprofit running RE100, the corporate renewable electricity commitment initiative. RE100's technical criteria for credible renewable electricity procurement directly intersect CRS's Green-e certification and CEAP matching guidance.
- Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): Nonprofit coalition of state clean energy funds and programs. CESA's convening role among state agencies and its work on shared clean energy policy frameworks mirror CRS's PUC engagement and CSEP international programs.
Broad incumbents
- Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): Larger, well-resourced clean energy research and advisory nonprofit. RMI's work on corporate renewable procurement, carbon-free electricity, and energy transition strategy overlaps materially with CRS's advisory services, though RMI operates at greater scale and broader scope.
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization co-managing GHG Protocol. WRI's broader sustainability portfolio (climate, water, forests, cities) makes it a broader incumbent, but its stewardship of GHG Protocol makes it a direct peer in corporate emissions accounting.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): Major environmental advocacy organization with active clean energy and utility regulation programs. NRDC's state and federal policy engagement on RPS, RECs, and utility regulation overlaps with CRS's policy and market development work.
Emerging players
- Institute for Market Transformation (IMT): Nonprofit working on buildings and real estate decarbonization with adjacent standards development. IMT's focus on disclosure and policy frameworks for buildings partially overlaps CRS's electricity market development, though its sectoral focus differs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Center for Resource Solutions social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Resource Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Resource Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Center for Resource Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Resource Solutions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Resource Solutions
What does Center for Resource Solutions do?
Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a nonprofit that creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy through the Green-e certification program for renewable energy and carbon offsets, the Clean Energy Accounting Project (CEAP) for standardized emissions accounting guidance, and the Clean Energy Tracking Collaborative (CETC) for energy attribute certificate tracking. It also provides mission-driven advisory services covering market development, procurement strategies, emissions accounting, policy design, and energy tracking system guidance.
Is Center for Resource Solutions a public or private company?
Center for Resource Solutions is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Resource Solutions founded?
Center for Resource Solutions was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Center for Resource Solutions based?
Center for Resource Solutions is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Resource Solutions make money?
One revenue line is on record: advisory Services.
Who are Center for Resource Solutions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Clean Energy Buyers Institute (CEBI), Greenhouse Gas Protocol (WRI/WBCSD), CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Climate Group (RE100) and Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). Broad incumbents are Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), World Resources Institute (WRI) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Center for Resource Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Resource Solutions.
What industry is Center for Resource Solutions in?
Center for Resource Solutions's product category is Renewable Energy Certification and Policy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMANAF, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) & Clean Energy Standards Compliance. Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 4900.