Center for Resource Solutions
Privacy Policy
Last Updated May 14, 2021
Center for Resource Solutions (“CRS”, “we,” “us,” and “ours”) creates policy and market solutions to advance sustainable energy and welcomes your interest in our work. This Privacy Policy, including our Cookie Policy, describes how CRS processes Personal Information when we manage our operations and other relationships or when you use our websites, mobile applications, newsletters, or otherwise communicate with us (collectively, the “Services“). This Privacy Policy applies to this website (www.resource-solutions.org) and all other websites owned and operated by CRS (including www.green-e.org, www.buycleanenergy.org, and www.renewableenergymarkets.com), as well as to all content and services available on or through these websites (collectively, the “Websites“). CRS values the privacy of all individuals who use its Services (individually, “User” and collectively, “Users“) and makes it a priority to responsibly collect and protect information from Users. When you use our Services, including visit our Websites, you may share information with us that helps us achieve our mission. Throughout this Privacy Policy, “Personal Information” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.
Our Privacy Policy explains:
- What information we collect;
- How we use that information; and,
- The choices we offer, including how to access and update information.
By using these Services, you consent to this Policy. This Privacy Policy also applies to all donations and charitable contributions made to CRS. The specific terms regarding these transactions are addressed below, under “Donor Policy”.
1. The Information CRS Collects from You
In most cases, we collect Personal Information directly from you (described below under “Information You Provide to CRS“). However, we may also obtain Personal Information about you from third parties or automatically when you interact with our Services (including as described below under “Information Collected Automatically“).
Where applicable, CRS indicates whether and why you must provide CRS with your Personal Information, as well as the consequences of failing to do so. If you do not provide Personal Information when requested, you may not be able to benefit from the Services if that information is necessary to provide such Services or if we are legally required to collect it.
Information You Provide to CRS
You may choose voluntarily to provide certain Personal Information to CRS. Personal Information is any information that can be used to identify you, such as name, address, email address, physical address, or phone number. For example, you may decide to share your name and email address with CRS to register for one of our mailing lists. CRS will collect your Personal Information through its Websites if you provide that information to us by filling out a form on the Websites that requests such information. CRS asks that you never send us any sensitive Personal Information (e.g. Social Security numbers) through its Websites.
When you send CRS an email message to any @resource-solutions.org email address published on our Websites, CRS retains the content of your message, your email address, and any information you provide to CRS such as your name, your company, your contact preferences, and any response CRS sends back to you.
Information Collected Automatically
Like most web-based services, we (or our service providers) may automatically collect information from your browser or your device when you use the Site. For example, this could include the time and duration of your visits. We do not combine automatically collected information with personal information. If ever in the future we do combine any automatically collected information with Personal Information, we will treat the combined information as Personal Information, and it will be protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Cookies and Web Beacons
In order to help enhance the performance and functionality of the Site, we utilize session, persistent and third-party “cookies” that store a small piece of data on a users’ computers and collect certain information about the users’ visit to our Site. We also use cookies to understand users’ browsing and buying activities so that we can measure the success of online advertising campaigns we run on the Site. Our Site also uses web beacons (either directly or from our partners), along with cookies, to determine if a user has visited a particular website. These beacons aid in providing more relevant advertising to the user, as well measuring the success of an advertising campaign, but provide no personally identifiable information.
Cookies are small text files that web servers typically send to users’ computer when they visit a website. Cookies are stored as text files on users’ hard drive, and can be accessed by web servers when the user visits a website or views an advertisement. A session cookie is a cookie that stores information as a user is using the Site but is deleted once the browser session is finished. A persistent cookie is a cookie that stores information as a user utilizes the Site and stores and uses that information in connection with future visits of the user to the Site. Third-party cookies and/or web beacons are cookies or web beacons provided by our technology and/or advertising partners. Any third-party cookie or web beacon that we authorize for use on the Site only collects that information described below for the same stated purposes as if we were directly collecting the information. For a third-party cookie or web beacon, the third-party will have access to the collected information in order to provide us with information or services to enhance the performance and functionality of the Site.
The cookies and web beacons we use collect non-personally identifiable information about users of the Site, including: browser used to access the site, date and time, the URL of the page being loaded, users who have visited a particular website(s), any previously assigned cookie identification (a unique identifier assigned to a user to identify repeat visitors), browser window size, the geographic location of the user, device and operating system used to access the Site. The information we collect from these cookies and web beacons is used to determine information about a user’s visit to our Site, including the number of visits, average time spent, pages viewed, navigation history through the website, and other statistics. This information is used to enhance the users experience while visiting our Site and to improve the performance of our Site by, among other things, allowing us to monitor Site performance, making the Site easier to use, measuring the effectiveness of promotional placements, and tailoring the Site (including the ads and offers a user receives) to better match a user’s interests and preferences.
Users who prefer not to accept cookies can set their Internet browser to notify them when they receive a cookie or to prevent cookies from being placed on their hard drive. If you consent to our collection of cookies and you subsequently wish to withdraw your consent, you will need to manage the settings on your web browser to delete all cookies and disallow further acceptance of cookies. Please note that disabling cookies on your browser will prevent us from tracking your activities in relations to our Site, however, it may also disable some of the functions and features of the Site and the Site may not work properly.
If you would like to determine your consent status, please contact us at: webmaster@resource-solutions.org.
By continuing to use our Site, you are agreeing to our placing cookies and/or web beacons on your computer in order to analyze the way you use our Site. Please read this cookie policy carefully for more details about the information we collect when you use the Site.
If you do not wish to accept cookies or web beacons in connection with your use of this Site, please discontinue use of the Site.
2. The Way CRS Uses Your Information
CRS collects and uses your Personal Information to provide the information you have requested and to inform you, via email, of other information relating to or available from CRS. CRS may use your Personal Information for the following purposes:
To provide certification services to Green-e® program participants, including evaluate certification applications, conduct verification activities, review marketing compliance, and process payments and advance payments on behalf of our clients.
For marketing purposes, including to send newsletters and other communications to Green-e® participants and business contacts. CRS will send you communications that are relevant to you, based for example on the interest areas you select when you subscribe to receive CRS communications. CRS may also use your Personal Information to register you for, and confirm your attendance at, events (including CRS’s annual Renewable Energy Markets [REM] conference); furnish biographical details to other attendees and, if required, hosting venues; provide you with the opportunity to participate in on-demand learning; and assess the effectiveness of our events, promotional campaigns, and publications.
To manage our business relationships with Green-e® participants, vendors and suppliers, business partners, and other contractors, including processing invoices and sending service-related communications.
For recruitment purposes, including to evaluate job applications, invite you for a job interview, and arrange for travel.
To communicate with you, and respond to your inquiries.
For other business purposes, such as to provide, operate and improve our products and services; perform data analyses; detect, prevent, and respond to actual or potential fraud, illegal activities, or intellectual property infringement; defend our legal rights; and comply with our legal obligations and internal policies.
3. Legal Grounds for Using Personal Information
If you are located in the European Economic Area, CRS only processes your Personal Information when it can rely on a valid legal ground such as:
Execution of a Contract. CRS needs your Personal Information to provide you with its Services, including to operate our website, to evaluate your job application or to otherwise respond to your queries.
Compliance with a Legal Obligation. CRS is required or allowed to collect and use your Personal Information, for example to detect fraud or to comply with our tax, accounting and anti-money laundering obligations.
Legitimate Interest. CRS or a third party has a legitimate interest in processing your Personal Information. For example, CRS has a legitimate interest in using your Personal Information to conduct business analytics or to improve the safety, security, and performance of our products and services. CRS only relies on its or a third party’s legitimate interests to process your Personal Information when these interests are not overridden by your rights and interests.
Consent. You have consented to the use of your Personal Information, for example to send you newsletters or for the use of certain cookies
4. When CRS Discloses Your Information to Third Parties
CRS does do not disclose with third parties any Personal Information collected, except for the limited circumstances set forth in this Privacy Policy, including:
Business Partners and Service Providers: CRS works with vendors, service providers, and other partners to help us provide the Services by performing tasks on our behalf, as a result of direct contractual relationships with CRS. We may need to share or provide information (including Personal Information) in order to help them perform these business functions, for example, sending emails on our behalf, performing statistical analysis, database management services, database hosting, providing customer support software, and security. Additionally, CRS may also share information received through the Websites with other websites, applications or partners, for promotion of our initiatives, opportunities, or services on those websites or applications. Generally, these partners and service providers do not have the right to use Personal Information we share with them beyond what is necessary to assist us.
Event Partners or Sponsors: CRS frequently partners with other companies, organizations, and agencies on in-person and online events, including conferences, webinars, and meetings. We often use the Websites to manage registrations and payment, including collecting Personal Information, such as name, email address, and employment information, which we may share with event partners or sponsors.
Analytics Services: CRS uses analytics services (including Google Analytics) to help us understand and improve how this Website is used. These services may collect, store and use information in order to help us understand things like how often you use the Websites, and usage, performance data, and geographic location.
Third Party Contractors: CRS may disclose information (including Personal Information) it receives with third party contractors engaged by CRS in the course of business (e.g., accountants, insurance companies, banks, auditors, CRS’s external legal counsel and other professional experts, advisors and/or consultants engaged by CRS).
Legal Disclosures: CRS may disclose information received through its Services when it is required to so or it believes it is appropriate to comply with the law (e.g., due to a lawful subpoena, warrant, or court order); to enforce or apply this Privacy Policy or our other policies or agreements; to protect CRS’s rights, property or safety; to protect against fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful use of its Services; to improve its products or services, or if CRS believes that an emergency involving the danger of death or serious physical injury to any person requires or justifies disclosure of information.
Sharing with CRS Companies: Over time, CRS may grow and reorganize. CRS may share your information obtained through its Services, including Personal Information, with affiliates such as subsidiaries, joint venture partners, or other companies that CRS controls. However, before sharing any of your Personal Information with such affiliates, CRS will require those companies to agree to use your Personal Information in a way that is consistent with this Privacy Policy.
With Your Consent: Other than the cases above, we will not disclose your Personal Information for any purpose unless you consent to it. Additionally, CRS does not sell your Personal Information to advertisers or other third parties. If you post other information through our Websites or other services, such as comments during webinars, that information may be displayed and viewable by other users.
Corporate Restructuring: If CRS is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, due diligence, reorganization, bankruptcy or liquidation where the business will not continue as a going concern, receivership, sale of CRS assets, or transition of our products or services to another organization, then your Personal Information may be transferred as part of such a transaction as permitted by law and/or contract.
5. The Security and Retention of Your Information
The security of your information is important to CRS. CRS uses reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information that it collects from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. Additionally, CRS will keep your information for only as long as it is needed to carry out its mission or meet legal obligations. If your information is no longer needed, CRS will delete it promptly and responsibly.
CRS makes concerted good faith efforts to maintain the security of your information. Although CRS works hard to ensure the integrity and security of its systems, please note that no information system can be 100% secure, and CRS cannot guarantee the security of that information. Outages, attacks, human error, system failure, unauthorized use, or other factors may compromise the security of user information at any time.
6. Links to Other Websites
This Privacy Policy applies to CRS Websites only. The Websites may contain links to websites or services provided by third parties. Any information you provide on or to third-party websites or services is provided directly to that third party and is subject to that third party’s policies governing privacy and security. This Privacy Policy does not apply to such third-party websites or services.
The fact that CRS links to a website is not an endorsement, authorization or representation that CRS is affiliated with that third party, neither is it an endorsement of their privacy or information security policies or practices. These other websites may place their own cookies or other files on your computer, collect data, or solicit personal information from you. CRS is not responsible for the content or privacy and security practices and policies of third-party websites or services. CRS encourages you to learn about third parties’ privacy and security policies before providing them with personal information.
7. Donor Policy
CRS may, now or in the future, allow you to make donations or contributions through the Website to CRS, its affiliate non-profit organizations, or causes and programs advocated by CRS and/or its affiliate non-profit organizations. In such event, CRS may publish list(s) of Users who have made such donations or contributions, their corporate affiliations, and the amount of such donations or contributions. You will have the ability to opt-in to revealing your Personal Information in this manner by making the appropriate choices through the Websites or over the phone.
Donor Personal Information will not be shared with unaffiliated third parties. Donors may opt-in to the CRS donor recognition mechanisms, which may include the CRS annual report, a donor section of the website and/or the CRS newsletter. Effective opt-in may be done over the phone, by email, or through other appropriate mechanisms. By donating to CRS, you agree to the terms described in this Privacy Policy and authorize the use of your Personal Information consistent with these terms. Under this policy, donations and contributions are limited to charitable gifts and do not include fees for services such as conference registration or webinars.
8. Your Communications Choices and Preferences
Depending on applicable law, you may have some rights and choices with respect to your Personal Information. Those rights may be limited by local law requirements. You may exercise these rights by contacting us as specified below, or by sending an email to communications@resource-solutions.org.
Events. To update or correct the information you provide to us via our website for an event sponsored by us, you may contact the event coordinator via email or telephone. Marketing contacts for each event are listed on the CRS page. You may also re-submit your Personal Information through the website by re-registering for the event.
Marketing. We allow you to opt out of future communications at any time by following the opt-out instructions contained in such communications.
European privacy rights. If you are located in the European Economic Area, you may have the following rights to the extent provided by law:
Request access to and receive information about the Personal Information we maintain about you, update and correct inaccuracies in your Personal Information, restrict or object to the processing of your Personal Information, have the information deleted, or exercise your right to data portability to easily transfer your Personal Information to another company.
Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, including in your country of residence, place of work, or where an incident took place.
Withdraw any consent you previously provided to us regarding the processing of your Personal Information, at any time and free of charge. We will apply your preferences going forward and this will not affect the lawfulness of the processing before your consent withdrawal.
California Privacy Rights. If you reside in California and have provided your Personal Information to CRS, you may request information once per calendar year about CRS’s disclosures of certain categories of Personal Information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes, if any. Such requests must be submitted to us in writing at the e-mail address indicated under Contact Information below.
9. International Data Transfer
Your Personal Information may be transferred to countries that do not have the same data protection laws as the country in which you initially provided the information. For instance, this website is hosted and operated in the United States and is not intended to subject CRS to the laws or jurisdiction of any state, country, or territory other than that of the United States. Your information may be stored and processed in any country where we have facilities or representatives or in which we engage service providers, and by using the Services you consent to the transfer of information to countries outside of your country of residence, including the United States, which may have different data protection rules than those of your country.
10. Children
This Website is not directed toward individuals under the age of 13, and we request that such individuals do not provide Personal Information. CRS does not knowingly collect or maintain Personal Information from persons under the age of 13 through the Websites. If CRS learns that a child under the age of 13 has provided CRS with Personal Information through the Websites, CRS will delete this information from its files. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under 13 who you believe has provided Personal Information to CRS through its Websites, please send an email to CRS at legal@resource-solutions.org to have that child’s information deleted.
11. “Do Not Track” Signals
Currently, various browsers—including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari—offer a “Do Not Track” or “DNT” option that relies on a technology known as a DNT header, which sends a signal to websites visited by the user about the user’s browser DNT preference setting. Please note that at this time CRS does not honor “DNT” signals or other mechanisms that may allow you to opt out of the collection of information across networks of websites and online services as there is no standard for how online services should respond to such signals. As standards develop, CRS may develop policies for responding to DNT signals that CRS would describe in this Privacy Policy in the future.
12. Changes and Updates to This Privacy Policy
CRS may revise this Privacy Policy periodically without notice to you. You can see when the last update was made by looking at the “Last Updated” date at the top of this page. Please revisit this page from time to time to stay aware of CRS’s collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information through the Services (including the Websites). Your continued use of CRS Services (including the Websites) constitutes your agreement to this Privacy Policy and any future revisions.
13. Jurisdiction
Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of, or related to, this Privacy Policy or the Websites shall be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of California, in each case located in the City and County of San Francisco, provided that CRS retains the right to bring any suit, action or proceeding against you for breach of this Privacy Policy in your country of residence or any other relevant country. You agree to waive any and all objections to the exercise of jurisdiction over you by such courts and to venue in such courts.
14. Contact Information
Please contact CRS with any questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, your personal information, our third-party disclosure practices, or your consent choices by email at webmaster@resource-solutions.org or by mail at: 1012 Torney Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94129.
