2020 Stanford Energy Internships in California and the West: Governor's Office of Planning and Research, California
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 the only Stanford student placed at the California Office of Planning and Research in Sacramento.
The internship runs from Monday, June 22, 2020 to Friday, August 28, 2020.
Organization/Agency mission or role in state government
The Office of Planning and Research (OPR), created by statute in 1970, is part of the Office of the Governor. OPR serves the Governor and his Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research, and constitutes the comprehensive state planning agency. (Government Code §65040). In addition, the Government and Public Resources Codes set forth multiple functions for OPR, including:
- Formulation of long-range land use goals and policies
- Conflict resolution among state agencies
- Coordination of federal grants for environmental goals
- Coordination of statewide environmental monitoring
- Coordination of research on growth and development
- Management of state planning grants, and encouragement of local and regional planning
- Creation and adoption of General Plan Guidelines
- Drafting of CEQA Guidelines (for adoption by the Secretary of Natural Resources)
- Creation of a State Environmental Goals and Policy Report, every four years
- Operation of the State Clearinghouse for distribution and review of CEQA documents
- Operation of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program
- Coordination of environmental justice activities
- Coordination with US military for land use and other issues in the state
Assignment
The intern will work closely with OPR Director and the Governor’s Advisor on Climate, Kate Gordon, on a variety of high-level policy projects related to climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Interns will have a hands-on opportunity to learn more about state government and policy development, and will gain valuable skills and experience in policy research, state budget formulation, interagency coordination at the state level, land use policy and planning, and more. The intern will serve in an advisory role to Director Gordon, with a specific focus on the implementation of the Governor’s Executive Order, N-19-19.
- Ideal candidates are self-driven and independently-motivated, possess strong verbal, written, analytical, and administrative skills, and, above all else, have a passion for public service.
- An interest in climate, land use, transportation, housing, and energy is a plus.
- Bonus skills include experience with legislative analysis, policy research, and/or finance and budgets.
- Strong research skills.
- All SEICW students must be enrolled in the spring quarter before their SEICW internship. Absolutely no exceptions are made to this rule.
- All SEICW students must take a one-unit workshop spring course, 'Energy Policy in California and the West' taught by Bruce Cain and Sally Benson that will provide an in-depth analysis of the role of California state agencies, the Western Interstate Energy Board, and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council in driving energy policy development, technology innovation, and market structures. Course number is CEE 263G / POLISCI 73 / PUBLPOL 73. This course must be taken in person.
Please note that this opportunity is for graduate students. Interested undergraduates can apply for other SEICW opportunities via SIG.
