City Energy Engagement Intern

About the Program:

WRI's Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition speeds up the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive energy future by helping to build clean energy markets and change institutions. The U.S. Energy team focuses on the US energy transition and decarbonization of the power sector, with a focus of working with local and state governments, large energy buyers, utilities, regulators, NGOs, and others.

Our team accelerates the deployment of clean energy technologies by addressing barriers, replicating successful models, and supporting policies or programs to accelerate adoption and achieve 100% clean energy in the power sector. WRI also undertakes research to support action, covering approaches to: overcoming barriers to clean energy development, expanding wholesale markets and the grid to enable the energy transition, accelerating electrification, and meeting the demand for critical minerals while protecting people and nature.

We focus on removing market and institutional barriers to clean energy deployment through efforts to enable state and local stakeholders to advance clean technologies in light of current context, including growing electricity demand and the changing policy environment. We also lead initiatives under the Polsky Energy Center to address large buyer demand and load growth, siting, critical minerals and circularity and enabling grid expansion WRI integrates equity and social justice concerns into its work to ensure the clean energy transition benefits all.

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

What you will do:
You will provide research and coordination support for projects helping US local governments advance their equitable clean energy goals through expanded participation in state and regional energy system decision making, including engagement with electric utilities, utilities commissions, state legislators, state energy offices, and regional transmission organizations. This intern position will provide support on a variety of activities, which could include:

• Drafting resources, tools and templates to help local governments and partners engage with utilities, regulators, and state legislators and executives on key energy issues like load growth, clean energy access programs, electricity prices, resource planning, and state energy program development

• Writing case studies on successful local government engagement in utility and regulatory proceedings

• Supporting local governments and coalitions with research on timely energy policy and engagement opportunities

• Researching emerging topics in wholesale electricity markets, including large load interconnection, load forecasting, and market governance structures

• Researching emerging opportunities for local governments to support deployment of virtual power plants, including in coordination with utilities and state stakeholders

• You will report to a Manager in this role and be supported by the U.S. Energy team, including staff across a host of projects. Your work with other team staff will be coordinated by your supervisor.

Internship Duties:

Research (40% time)

• Conduct high-quality research on addressing electricity issues noted above.

• Translate complex research related to these topics into digestible documents and presentations.

• Collect, clean, organize, analyze and visualize data in support of ongoing projects.

• Communicate research on complex topics to internal audiences.

Content development (40% time)

• Write internal products, such as memos and slide decks, with manager guidance.

• Research, draft, and edit case studies, blogs, and other resources and tools for local governments with support from WRI staff.

• Assist with newsletters, articles, or other written materials.

Logistics and facilitation support (20% time)

• Support facilitation of meetings and convenings with local governments.

• Organize and carry out webinars and virtual events related to ongoing projects in collaboration with WRI staff.

• Assist with developing projects, guiding cohorts and learning groups, and reporting to funders.

Internship Learning Outcomes:

• Better understand the challenges and opportunities related to clean energy transition in the U.S.

• Gain experience working as part of a multisectoral team spread across the U.S. within a broader global organization.

• Familiarize yourself with data from leading providers in the energy sector.

• Build connections with leading experts in the field of climate and energy.

What you will need:

• This opportunity is open to current bachelor's or master's degree students or recent graduates, with a coursework in US state energy policy and regulation

• Research experience in clean energy technologies, electricity rate making, wholesale electricity markets, and/or utility planning processes and programming, and/or energy efficiency

• Previous experience working with local and state governments and/or electric utilities

• Research, writing, verbal, and organizational skills

• Computer skills, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite

• Data and analytical skills, including ability to obtain, clean, analyze, interpret, and visualize data to derive meaningful insights and support decision-making

• Communication, interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people and remotely with teams

• U.S. work authorization

Compensation:

• The pay for this internship opportunity is $20/hour for undergrads; $22/hour for graduates and $24/hour for PhD students.

Length of Contract:

• This is a full-time, 3-month internship. Our summer internship start dates are June 16th, July 1st and July 20th

Location:

• This is a hybrid internship that will be based out of our Washington D.C. office.

• You will be required to work in the Washington DC office at least 8 days per month.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a cover letter by March 20, 2026. Applicants mustapply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of applications from qualified candidates.

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Internships at WRI are learning experiences designed for current students, recent graduates, and other candidates who wish to gain knowledge about a specific area of our work. We strive to attract diverse, intellectually driven candidates who have a passion for sustainability and development. WRI provides many internship opportunities throughout the year in all our programs.

WRI is committed to advancing gender, racial, and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices.

Our mission and values:

WRI's mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth's environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission, including equal opportunities inemployment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications.

#LI-DNP