Achieving State and Local Environmental Goals Through Energy Strategies

Zintellect offers a postgraduate research internship at the U.S. EPA in Washington, DC, focused on assisting state and local governments in reducing emissions through energy strategies. The participant will support the Climate Protection Partnership Division by conducting research, developing briefings, and collaborating with professionals. The position is full-time for one year, with a stipend and potential travel reimbursement for conferences, but does not provide health insurance coverage.
A postgraduate research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). This internship will be served with the Climate Protection Partnership Division (CPPD) in Washington, DC.

The selected participant will join CPPD’s State and Local Branch (SLB), whose policy experts work cooperatively with state and local governments to help them reduce emissions in ways that meet their own unique environmental, energy and economic priorities. The participant’s research will support the development of decision-support resources and tools to support state and local government environmental policy goals.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will learn how to research and develop briefings, trainings, case studies and other documents on topics that could include:
• Actions and trends in state, local and possibly tribal environmental and energy policies and programs;
• Quantifying and communicating the emissions and health impacts of state and local government energy efficiency and renewable energy policies and programs;
• Policy and infrastructure considerations for state, local government and utility investments in environmentally and economically beneficial electrification;
• Understanding the environmental implications of and opportunities for state and local government use of green infrastructure;
• Refining and communicating about SLB’s existing suite of analytical tools; and
• Refining SLB’s ability to analyze the impacts of our investments.

The participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with a collegial team of skilled professionals. The participant will have the opportunity to meet with senior officials and engage with stakeholders including S&L officials and NGOs.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. For additional information about this program, please visit https://orise.orau.gov/epa/.

The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant’s travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

The mentor for this project will be Julie Rosenberg (rosenberg.julie@epa.gov).