The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, an African-American think tank based in Washington, D.C., convenes a commission to focus on the disparate impact of climate change on minority communities and help involve historically Black institutions in clean energy projects. Launched formally in July 2008, the Commission to Engage African-Americans on Climate Change (CEAC) has sought to shape comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation but is also moving to help bring historically Black colleges and universities into national environmental and renewable energy projects being undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with clean renewable energy technologies. The commission has also undertaken a national public education and outreach campaign, which includes townhall meetings around the country, to educate and engage Blacks on climate change. Among its recommendations, the CEAC has urged federal officials to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "to develop guidelines and methodologies for states to identify the most impacted and disadvantaged communities." The CEAC has also made recommendations to ensure minority and low-income participation in the transition from a high carbon-based economy, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for energy production and transportation, to a low carbon-based economy where renewable energy sources substantially limit the emissions of greenhouse gases.