2023 Shultz Energy Fellowships: California Air Resources Board, Advanced Clean Cars Branch
Regional-, state-, and city-level efforts are essential in our fight against climate change, especially in the field of energy. Stanford University is committed to helping by integrating its students into energy and climate ecosystems in the West through the Shultz Energy Fellowships program, an energy-related summer fellowship program for undergraduate and graduate students.
Named in honor of former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, one of the most widely admired American public servants of the past half-century, the program offers a suite of paid, energy-related public service fellowships for Stanford students in California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii during the summer.
The fellowships run from Monday, June 26, 2023 to Friday, September 1, 2023.
Organization/Agency mission or role in state government
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is charged with protecting the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and developing programs and actions to fight climate change. CARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards. CARB leads by driving innovative solutions to improve public health and the environment. From requirements for clean cars and fuels to adopting innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, California has pioneered a range of effective approaches that have set the standard for effective air and climate programs for the nation and the world.
Potential Areas for Fellowship Projects
The Advanced Clean Cars Branch fosters a sustainable market for zero and ultra-clean emission light-duty vehicle technologies through regulations and market-supporting policies. The fellow will support development of future California greenhouse gas emission standards for light-duty vehicles by evaluating similar federal regulations, analyzing implications for California’s fleet in the context of other vehicle standards, and making recommendations on policy design. The project may assess vehicle control technologies alongside existing greenhouse gas emission regulation and may incorporate analytical modeling to simulate and evaluate compliance pathways or economic/emission impacts.
Potential Mentor
- Belinda Chen, ZEV Infrastructure Section Manager
2022 Fellow
- Justin Bracci, PhD Student in Energy Resources Engineering
- Learn more about Justin's experience at CARB:
- Basic understanding of California’s efforts for clean air and climate change protection and the role of public policy
- General knowledge of environmental management and of CARB and its function in the context of regulatory policy and setting emission standards for vehicles, engines, and equipment
- Strong communication skills (both written and oral)
- A demonstrated desire to work in a team environment and to learn from seasoned, expert practitioners and creators of internationally-recognized environmental policies for mobile sources
- A major in engineering, the physical sciences, and/or public policy is applicable background for this fellowship.
All Shultz fellows must be enrolled in the spring quarter before their fellowship.
All Shultz fellows must take a one-unit spring workshop course, 'Energy Policy in California and the West' taught by Professor Bruce Cain and Visiting Fellow Felicia Marcus 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 / ENERGY 73. Schedule: Wednesdays from 10:30 am - 11:30 am (Shriram Ctr BioChemE 368).
Please note that this opportunity is for graduate students. Interested undergraduates can apply via SIG.
