Roger E. Koontz Fellowship in Law and Climate Policy

Acadia Center • Rockport, ME

13d • Remote

About The Position

Acadia Center is seeking motivated law students for the Roger E. Koontz Fellowship in Law and Climate Policy. The Koontz Fellow works with Acadia Center attorneys, policy experts, researchers, and communications professionals on legal projects that directly advance the organization’s work. Depending on the assignment, the Fellow may meet with policymakers, attend public meetings, and participate in coalition interactions. Projects are assigned based on the Fellow’s skills and interests and may cover one or more areas of focus.

Potential project areas include energy regulatory system reform; clean energy and community engagement; building energy and energy justice; legislative and statutory analysis; regulatory intervention support; and clean energy procurement. Work may involve researching legal and policy solutions, analyzing laws and regulatory processes, supporting proceedings before state Public Utilities Commissions, and reviewing procurement requests, contracts, and regulatory tariffs. The Fellow works under the supervision of a licensed attorney.

The fellowship is fully remote, with possible in-person connections near Acadia Center staff locations in Rockport, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Hartford, Connecticut; and New York City. It is expected to run full-time for 8–10 weeks in June, July, and August, and can be structured as full or flex time. Acadia Center provides a stipend of up to $8,000–$13,000 at the full-time level, depending on factors such as educational level, background experience, and schedule.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school.
• Must have completed at least one full year of law school in good standing before the fellowship begins.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Submit a résumé, cover letter, law-school transcript, and writing sample.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated interest in environmental, energy, administrative, or public-interest law.

Responsibilities

• Research legal issues and policy solutions related to regional power grid and state-level utility planning, financing, and governance.
• Review community and stakeholder engagement issues associated with clean energy projects, power grids, and transmission, including permitting processes.
• Conduct legal analysis supported by data on energy efficiency, building decarbonization, energy equity, environmental justice, housing, and transportation or mobility policy.
• Examine federal and state laws to assess authority for policies involving clean energy resources, transmission, greenhouse gas emissions caps, and emissions allowance trading.
• Support regulatory interventions through discovery, interrogatory requests, testimony drafting, and other work in policy dockets, rate cases, and adjudicated proceedings before state Public Utilities Commissions.
• Conduct legal analysis and advocacy related to regional or multi-state clean energy procurements and public policy transmission upgrades.
• Analyze requests for proposals, contracts, and ISO New England tariffs filed before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for impacts on costs, reliability, emissions reductions, equity, and other considerations.
• Work with Acadia Center attorneys, policy experts, researchers, and communications professionals; as assignments allow, meet with policymakers, attend public meetings, and engage in coalition interactions.

Benefits

• Stipend of up to $8,000–$13,000 at the full-time level, depending on educational level, background experience, and schedule.
• Fully remote fellowship, with possible in-person connections near Acadia Center staff locations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed