To develop a team of practical applied researchers, contractors, engineers, and sustainable farmers who solve challenging problems with the water, energy and food/farming nexus in such a way that they inspire others to do the same.

The EEIF team and its strategic partners and stakeholders are driven to find solutions that are both innovative and practical so they can be applied in everyday life.   Our goal is to be an optimistic, yet realistic “change agent” by focusing on a few key initiatives.

• Leading and Serving the Coal Ash and Liquid Management (CALM) Initiative: The CALM Initiative is one of the largest construction and engineering consortiums in the United States that is focused almost exclusively on cleaning up the challenging problem of coal fly ash and other coal combustion residuals (CCR).   EEIF leadership team is actively engaged in hosting a wide variety of new technology initiatives to cost effectively remediate and/or beneficially use CCRs.
• Safety Awareness and Training for Coal Ash Basin Workers: Working in and around wet coal ash basins presents unique challenges that are often outside the limits of conventional geotechnical and environmental engineering and construction.   At the same time the electric power industry is focused and dedicated to a “zero injury” target for any and all work on its coal ash basin sites.   EEIF is a leader in developing new ways to compute and monitor the subgrade stability and environmental conditions in and around coal ash impoundments.
• Sustainable Farming and Clean Water: EEIF is currently working on stakeholder groups that align a wide variety of land management and clean water initiatives in the Catawba Wateree Water Management Group (CWWMG).  The longterm plan is to work with Duke Energy, local farmers and the water districts of the CWWMG to improve land management, increase food production and manage the life cycle cost of energy production.
• STEM Education with an Environment and Energy Focus: The Charlotte region is the energy hub of the United States and is dedicated to training workers that can serve the energy industry over the next 20 to 50 years.   EEIF knows that to do this we need to start in elementary schools and middle schools to increase knowledge and STEM skills in our young students with “hands-on” learning activities.   We demonstrate this initiative by obtaining grants and completing projects with our sister, non-profit company Rivendell Farms of the Carolinas.

The EEIF Team includes:

Chris Hardin, PE — Managing Director

Ric Traver, PE — Senior Technical Coordinator CALM Initiative Projects

Jeffie Hardin — Chief Operating Officer & Director of Education Programs

Erin Hostetler — Project Coordinator

Our corporate philosophy and motto is fairly simple.   We take a “common sense” approach to solving some of the worlds most complex and challenging problems.     Webster defines “common sense” as:   sound and prudent judgment, based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.  Of course, in this day and age sound and prudent judgement is often rare, so when in doubt EEIF works closely with other common sense advisers who help us maintain a simple perception of the situation and facts.

Our vision is to develop innovative methods and work with others who have a similar passion, and to make a difference in the world around us.   The way we maintain our passion for what can be a challenging and somewhat impossible pursuit, is to stay grounded, keep focused and remain positive.   We stay grounded by working with farmers and the practical people who are involved with the production of electric power for us every day.   The EEIF team stays focused and positive by recognizing that the world needs a practical approach to sustainable living and that ultimately everything is in God’s hands.