2020 Stanford Energy Internships in California and the West: California Public Utilities Commission, Office of President Marybel Batjer

State- and city-level efforts are essential in our fight against climate change, especially in the field of energy. Stanford Energy Internships in California and the West (SEICW)—an energy-related summer internship program—places some of Stanford University’s best students in key and influential positions in the local energy and climate-related ecosystem.  This position is funded. You will be one of two Stanford students placed at the CPUC. You will be with the office of President Maybel Batjer in Sacramento. The other intern will be with the office of Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma in San Francisco.

The program runs from Monday, June 22, 2020 to Friday, August 28, 2020.

Organization/Agency mission or role in state government

California has been a global leader in implementing laws to reduce the causes and impacts of climate change. It also has been a leader in supporting climate research which has forecasted increasing threats and impacts from wildfires in the coming decades.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is one of the most influential regulatory agencies in the state. The CPUC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies, in addition to authorizing video franchises. Our five Governor-appointed Commissioners, as well as our staff, are dedicated to ensuring that consumers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protecting against fraud; and promoting the health of California's economy.

As a regulator of the investor-owned utilities (IOUs), the CPUC has oversight of how electricity providers build safe infrastructure, procure renewable resources and deliver affordable and reliable electric service with a commitment to environmental enhancement and a healthy California economy.

Assignment

Among the various policy issues under the CPUC’s purview, a Stanford energy intern in the Office of President Marybel Batjer will have the opportunity to work on proceedings and projects related to implementation of the recently enacted legislation, Assembly Bills 1054 and 111. These measures establish the new Wildfire Safety Advisory Board, the new Wildfire Safety Division, and task the CPUC with many new critical responsibilities to enhance the state’s prevention and response to wildfires. Additionally, the intern will also be able to work on projects spearheaded by the Office of the Commission, a newly created unit within the CPUC to advise the Commissioners on various organizational goals and policy initiatives. Depending on the needs of the President’s Office, the intern’s work will include the following:

• Developing policy and administrative strategies that support the CPUC’s climate change, climate adaptation, and clean energy goals;
• Conducting policy research projects for Commissioners; and
• Researching and analyzing organizational processes and change management implementation tools.

The President’s Office will work with the intern to develop one or two specific projects that are of interest to the intern and that can build upon their knowledge and skills in energy policy.

Potential Mentors

• James Ralph, Chief of Staff
• Saul Gomez, Deputy Executive Director for the Office of the Commission