Freelance Writer (Part-Time)

PowerLines • Washington, DC

1d • Remote

About The Position

PowerLines is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to modernizing the utility regulatory system to benefit American energy consumers by lowering utility bills and stimulating economic growth. The organization focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which significantly influence utility costs, energy investments, and the location of new energy projects. These commissions oversee substantial utility spending and are pivotal in shaping the future of the energy system. With utility rate increase requests reaching a record $29 billion in the first half of 2025, utility bills have become a major economic and political concern. PowerLines, recognized on the 2025 “TIME100 Next” list, is a leading voice in this national discussion, with its insights featured in prominent publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, CBS News, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, Heatmap News, MIT Technology Review, Latitude Media, Yahoo News, and Canary Media. PowerLines is seeking a part-time contract Freelance Writer to assist with its internal and external communications. The position is remote, based out of Washington, DC. The workload and hours will fluctuate based on organizational priorities, publication schedules, report launches, and events, with assignments expected on a weekly or monthly basis. Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary to meet critical deadlines. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing and research skills, with a background in journalism, policy writing, research, or communications. Experience in covering or explaining utility regulation, energy affordability, state public utility commissions, electricity markets, or related policy issues is highly valued. The ability to translate complex regulatory and energy topics into clear, accessible, and compelling content for a diverse audience, including policymakers, reporters, advocates, and the general public, is essential. The Freelance Writer will create written materials that advance the organization's mission and public engagement efforts, working closely with PowerLines' policy and communications teams.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience writing about utility regulation, energy policy, electricity markets, consumer protection, public finance, infrastructure, policy, or related topics.
• Familiarity with state public utility commissions and the role they play in approving utility rates, investments, and planning decisions.
• Ability to read and interpret regulatory filings, commission orders, reports, testimony, and other policy documents.
• Ability to explain complicated policy or regulatory concepts in clear, accessible language.
• Strong research, fact-checking, and source-synthesis skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and communication skills.
• Comfort working independently on deadline.
• Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work well with policy experts, researchers, communicators, and non-specialist audiences.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify what matters in complex regulatory developments.
• Experience as a journalist covering energy, utilities, state government, regulation or business.
• Experience writing for policy, advocacy, nonprofit, or research organizations.
• Familiarity with rate cases, integrated resource planning, transmission planning, utility business models, FERC, RTOs/ISOs, or consumer advocate offices.
• Ability to identify what is newsworthy or politically salient in complex regulatory developments.
• Experience writing both short-form and long-form content.

Responsibilities

• Draft clear, engaging documents on utility regulation, electricity rates, grid modernization, utility spending, rate cases, transmission, data centers, and related issues for different audiences including policymakers, media, and consumers.
• Support the drafting and editing of PowerLines’ reports and other major publications.
• Review and synthesize PUC filings, commission orders, reports, testimony, and policy documents.
• Write blog posts, fact sheets, policy briefs, newsletters, reporter resources, op-eds, and other public-facing materials.
• Help develop resources for reporters covering utility regulation and energy affordability.
• Collaborate with policy, research, and communications staff to incorporate feedback and refine materials.
• Adapt tone and format for different audiences, including policymakers, journalists, advocates, and general readers.
• Meet agreed-upon deadlines for short- and medium-form assignments while maintaining quality and consistent communication.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed