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Clean Energy Legal Intern

Western Resource Advocates
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Transmission Team Intern, Clean Energy

Technical

Boulder

+6 More Locations

Salary Range: $18.25 To 18.25 Hourly

 

Internship Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) seeks a curious and driven law student to join our Clean Energy Program and specifically, the Regional Markets – Transmission Team this Summer as an intern. The Clean Energy Legal Intern will focus on energy law and policy, particularly as it relates to decarbonization and the policy developments around energy markets and related federal regulatory law. The main research project will focus on two areas. First, is the review of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)’s authority in regard to review of competing market enhancement proposals and their history on prior rulings and basis for such decisions (“jump ball authority” and second, the review of market tariff rules of California Independent System Operator (CA ISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) – wholesale market operators – in regard to participation by clean energy developers for Demand Side Response (DR) solutions. The Clean Energy Legal Intern will report to the Deputy Director, Regional Markets-Transmission and will work closely with other WRA staff attorneys, analysts, and government affairs personnel, with opportunities to learn and grow while working with other clean energy professionals.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on-the-ground-work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position has the option to be remote from WRA's seven state region (AZ, CO, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY) or work from one of WRA’s offices. WRA has offices in Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; and Boulder, CO. The manager of this internship is based in Salt Lake City. 

Responsibilities 

  • Conduct legal research on subjects associated with WRA’s energy policy work, primarily related to public utilities law and potential pathways for decarbonizing natural gas end-uses, with an emphasis on equitable impacts.
  • Review FERC jurisdictional authority on jump ball authority and evaluate prior rulings on RTO and ISO related market proposals.
  • Develop research briefing and a final report on the dual tasks under joint supervision of WRA regional markets legal consultant and Deputy Director, Regional Markets.
  • Research and summarize existing laws and rules that impact WRA’s mission.
  • Accompany staff (likely virtually) on advocacy meetings, stakeholder engagement activities, and other related activities.

 Required Qualifications

  • Current enrollment in law school and demonstrated academic achievement.
  • Excellent communicator, written and verbal.
  • Legal research, analytic ability, and project management skills.
  • Use of legal research tools (Lexis Nexis and/or Westlaw) as well as file and document management software.
  • Motivated to take ownership of projects and demonstrate follow-through to complete tasks requested by supervising attorney.
  • Sound judgment, attention to detail, and integrity in preparing assigned project work.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Desire to learn technical, sometimes “wonky” areas of the law, with confidence to ask questions!

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary And Benefits

Interns are paid at $18.25 per hour. This is a full-time internship with an expectation to work up to 40 hours a week. WRA regularly works with students to help them obtain school credit for their internships. Since this is a temporary internship position, interns are not eligible for any benefits, including, but not limited to: vacation and sick leave; health, vision, and dental insurance; life, short-, and long-term disability insurance; and the 401(k)-retirement plan. WRA is happy to loan interns a laptop for the duration of their internship. The internship will take place during the Summer of 2024. 

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Applications will only be accepted through WRA’s online portal at https://westernresourceadvocates.org/careers-at-wra

You will need to upload the following in PDF format through the online portal:

  • Cover letter to the attention of Kimberly Bell, Human Resources Manager, explaining how your qualifications match the needs of the position and your interest in WRA
  • Resume.

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.

Apply To Join WRA’s Internship Program!