Customers & Results

Water Security Policy
Meridian staff is experienced in delivering impactful water security policy, signed at the highest levels of the Department of the Navy, by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations and Environment (ASN EI&E). Two novel, water-specific Department of the Navy policy memorandums, released in 2022 and 20223, established new water resilience goals, metrics, and standards for the Navy and Marine Corps to implement. These policies require Department-wide water reduction, manpower analysis, water availability for critical missions, enhanced groundwater recharge and stormwater management, and improved water resilience planning. Meridian staff serve not only as subject matter experts on water security issues that impact Navy and Marine Corps installations, but are sought after as thought leaders for Department-wide program management.

Energy Resilience
Meridian employs experts in energy finance, bringing knowledge of both private sector financing strategies and the use of Department of Defense (DoD) energy finance authorities to the Department of the Navy. Meridian consistently evaluates large Utility Privatization and Energy Savings Performance Contract deals for the Navy and advises setting targets for executing third-party financed deals. Meridian also provides subject matter expertise on a range of energy market and electric utility issues, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) program to implement the purchasing of carbon-pollution free electricity (CFE), new energy technologies such as small-scale nuclear power, hydrogen, next generation geothermal technologies, and the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Meridian staff have authored shore energy policy that was key in settings Department of the Navy goals for decarbonization, energy resilience and the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Climate Resilience
Meridian leads the Department of the Navy in climate science and climate policy knowledge by employing Doctorate-level and DoD-wide climate science experience. Meridian staff routinely lead development of carbon sequestration and environmental resilience guidance, carbon stock baseline studies with geospatial offices and the United States Geological Survey, and develop climate guidance within master planning. Meridian staff are also members of OSD’s Climate Literacy and Environmental Justice working groups, and are sought after DOD-wide for their expertise on climate science and climate change impacts on military readiness.

National Defense Authorization Act, Executive Orders, and National Policy
Meridian staff consist of senior policy analysts who lead DoD initiatives related to National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) responses on water security, climate resilience, environmental compliance, and energy security. Meridian ensures clients are up to date and tracking the latest Executive Order requirements related to energy, climate, and water resilience, as well as other national policies including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and America’s Water Infrastructure Act, and other regional and state-level policies that impact the military.

Though Leadership and Interdisciplinary Engagement
Meridian is consistently sought out for their team members’ leadership and technical expertise to speak on panels, advise on technical boards, review scientific proposals, develop courses, and participate in inter-agency working groups. Meridian developed and delivered multiple climate courses for the DoD and Department of Energy; participated as technical reviewers for the DoD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, the DoD Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, and the National Science Foundation; participated as speakers at national DoD conferences; and engaged with the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological Survey working groups on climate and water resilience.

Strategic Communications
Meridian is a leader in the strategic communications space at the top echelons of the Department of the Navy. Staff members serve as trusted assets for communicating complex issues related to crisis and emergency management for the ASN EI&E, and up to the OSD. Meridian delivers high quality communications strategies and products to the highest levels both internally and externally, relating to some of the highest profile and sensitive issues in the DoD. Meridian staff is sought after for programmatic support, transition planning, congressional response development, briefing, and reporting requirements.

California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Initiative
The Meridian Group is working to support the Navy’s potential participation in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) program, as an application of the authorities under Title 10 U.S. Code §2913. Meridian’s role and involvement in this project has been the culmination of efforts along with several in-person engagements among representatives from the Department of Navy and the California Energy Commission. This initiative leverages congressional authorities that facilitate participation in the California LCFS program, designed to decrease the carbon intensity of transportation fuel and achieve air quality benefits. The goal of this incentive program would allow the Navy to power ships from the electric grid (shore power) while in port rather than using onboard-generated electricity or diesel, thus earning credits based on reduced emissions.

Department of Navy and State of California Partner on Energy and Water Initiatives
The Meridian Group has been working in support of the longstanding partnership and collaboration between the Department of the Navy (DoN) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) and was proud to be involved in the recent December 1, 2021 event in which both signatories (Under Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Meredith A. Berger, and Chair of the California Energy Commission, David Hochschild) reaffirmed their commitments by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California.

Formally renewing this partnership for another five years focuses efforts on energy and water- related projects at DoN installations throughout the state of California. The Meridian Group looks forward to further contributing to Navy and Marine Corps installation efforts to address energy resilience issues, climate initiatives, fossil fuel reduction, greenhouse gas reductions, water consumption, and alternative fuel vehicles. The DoN and CEC cooperation is a unique opportunity for both the state and federal government to continue working together to achieve their respective climate, energy, and water goals. The Meridian Group recognizes the impact of this work as critical to national security and will continue to support the DoN’s responsibility to provide assured energy.

For more information related to Meridian’s work in support of the December 1st MOU signing event, please visit our LinkedIn page.

Installation- Measurable Accrued Savings Transformative Energy Recovery (I-MASTER)
Recovered $150M of non-expiring funds (no-year money) for the Department of the Navy (DON) in a two-year period. The Meridian Group developed this pilot program for the DON from inception and continues to lead the effort in bringing non-programmed revenue back to the Department.  The Congressional Authority allows the DON to transfer validated energy cost savings, based on annual reduced energy consumption, into no-year accounts. Half the savings amount is returned directly to the Navy and Marine Corps Installations that generate the savings and will be available for use to support improvements to existing military family housing; any unspecified minor construction project that will enhance the quality of life of personnel; or any morale, welfare or recreation facility or service.  The program monetizes the value of energy conservation efforts by rewarding installations that proactively reduce their annual energy consumption and allows the DON to advance the goals of resiliency, reliability and efficiency.

Department of Navy-Installation Energy Resilience Strategy
A key document signed out by the Secretary of the Navy to help implement the overarching energy resilience strategy through department-wide vision for reliability, resilience, and efficiency measures. This document contains relevant Navy and Marine Corps case studies, a guidebook on Congressional authorities, and specific priorities and metrics to sharpen the focus on energy resilience.  Navy commanders, Energy Managers, and Department leaders come away with key resources to implement energy resilience projects and programs at any scale across the enterprise. Read more about what the Acting Secretary of the Navy had to say about the strategy on Military News and read the full energy resilience strategy HERE.