Western Resource Advocates (WRA) seeks a curious and driven individual to remotely join our Regional Markets Team this Fall and Winter as the Regional Energy Markets Intern. This role will assist with a comprehensive review of the existing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulatory programs and state policies located within U.S. regional electricity markets. Following the review, an assessment will be completed that responds to specific policy questions related to these programs and policies, including issues of accounting and compatibility across multi-state jurisdictions. The Regional Energy Markets Intern will report to the Sr. Energy Market Policy Analyst, with opportunities to learn and grow while working with other clean energy and conservation professionals.

Founded in 1989, Western Resource Advocates is dedicated to protecting the West’s land, air, and water to ensure that vibrant communities exist in balance with nature. We use law, science, and economics to craft innovative solutions to the most pressing conservation issues in the region within three core program areas: Clean Energy, Healthy Rivers and Western Lands.
In the face of population growth and climate change, the Western United States needs a strong and effective advocacy voice at the regional level to address changes that are already underway and to steer the West towards a sustainable future. WRA has aggressive plans to tackle these challenges. We envision a future in the West where:

• Western rivers and lakes will have abundant clean water to support habitat for fish and wildlife, communities and agriculture, and world class recreational opportunities. The Colorado River will flow to the sea;
• Our homes, buildings and transportation systems will be powered by clean energy. The West will prosper in a zero-carbon economy;
• Half of western landscapes and habitat will be protected and connected to support thriving wildlife populations and unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the West’s natural beauty; and
• The West will have clean air and clean water to support healthy communities and vital habitat.

This position will be fully remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager of this internship is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Candidates may be based anywhere in the United States, as long as they have some availability during our regular office hours in Mountain Standard Time.

• Conduct research on varied subjects associated with WRA’s Regional Markets policy work.
• Research GHG accounting practices across existing U.S. regional electricity markets (including CAISO, PJM, MISO, SPP, NYISO and ISO-NE).
• Identify best practices for GHG accounting and produce recommendations for emerging western U.S. electricity markets (including the CAISO’s Energy Imbalance Market and the Extended Day-Ahead Market).
• Write a research memo that identifies guiding principles for accurate GHG accounting and proposes a GHG framework that is flexible, robust and implementable in the Western region.

• Preference for candidates with coursework in environmental science, energy policy or environmental law.
• Ideally, possess hands-on experience in energy policy issues, electricity markets, greenhouse gas programs, or related environmental law issues.
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal).
• Superior research, analytic ability, and project management skills.
• Motivated to take ownership of projects and demonstrate follow-through to complete tasks requested by supervisor.
• Desire to learn technical content, with confidence to ask questions when necessary.

Interns are paid at $12.00 per hour. This is a part-time internship with an expectation to work 10-20 hours a week. WRA regularly works with students to help them obtain school credit for their internships.

While the specific dates of this internship are flexible, the start date will be around early October 2020 and will go through the end of January 2021. WRA’s offices are closed on 11/26/20-11/27/20 for the Thanksgiving holiday and 12/25/20-1/1/21 for Winter Break.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/#commitment-to-diversity. 

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion,  gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.