Application Instructions: A complete application includes

Background on Energy Vision (EV): Founded in 2007, EV is a New York City-based national environmental organization. Through research, analysis, and advocacy, EV promotes the deployment of commercially viable and pollution-free renewable energy and fuel strategies that will be required for a sustainable future. Energy Vision was launched by a staff team with two decades of recognized expertise in the alternative fuels arena. Its research is widely used by government, environmental and business leaders alike in the US and abroad.

The Focus of EV’s Current Research: Energy Vision’s primary focus since 2009 has been the expanded use of clean fuels for US buses and trucks. While trucks and buses make up only 4% of all on-road vehicles in the U.S., they consume 23% of vehicle fuel, so their conversion away from diesel fuel can significantly reduce US petroleum dependence. 

Now more than ever, the heavy-duty transportation sector has the impetus and capacity to transition away from diesel fuel to petroleum-free alternatives. One emerging option with immense potential is a renewable form of natural gas obtained not by drilling, but by collecting the “biogases” that are emitted by decomposing organic wastes: food, yard and other organics discarded by municipalities, businesses and agricultural operations.

This new fuel, called “biomethane” or “renewable natural gas” (RNG), requires no drilling. Its use produces virtually no health-threatening emissions. Further, over its lifecycle (including its production and use), RNG is the lowest carbon fuel commercially available today. In fact, when it is produced from dairy manure or separated food waste in specialized tanks called “anaerobic digesters,” RNG can even be net-carbon-negative. This is because producing the fuel involves the capture of more greenhouse gases (which would otherwise escape into the air with a potent climate-changing impact) than are generated when the fuel is combusted.

To learn more about Energy Vision and RNG, please visit: www.energy-vision.org

Energy Vision is looking for one to two interns for 8-10 weeks (30-40 hours/week) this summer to do research (online, phone interviews, site visits, etc.), writing and outreach on programs and policies (city, state, federal) in the US, Canada and Europe that have successfully driven the capture and utilization of biogas from agriculture, wastewater, food waste and other sources of organics.

The intern(s) will receive an orientation on this topic with reading materials and discussion with EV Founder Joanna Underwood (BMC ’62), EV President Matt Tomich (HC ’08), and other Energy Vision staff who will jointly oversee this work. The intern(s) will have the opportunity to participate in calls and meetings with leaders from industry, government, academia and other NGOs. Throughout the course of the summer, the successful applicant will develop a detailed understanding of various elements of policy, technology, economics and environmental impact relating to renewable biogas. With training and oversight, the intern(s) will be expected to take the initiative to work independently to develop policy briefs, fact sheets, presentations and other important educational materials.

Research may also include various aspects of individual projects, obstacles and issues that confront them, the environmental benefits and the business case(s). Such research may serve as the foundation for written case studies that will be posted to our website and publicized through various media outlets. These case studies will continue to play a major role in our education, outreach and policy initiatives, to show the growth of this new “green fuel” industry and the multiple economic and environmental benefits that each project provides.

Energy Vision is seeking rising juniors or rising seniors (exceptions can be made) majoring in physical and life sciences, political science, economics or urban studies who are effective communicators and good analytical writers. Qualified candidates must have, in addition, a real interest in learning about the need for proven and scalable sustainable energy and transportation solutions.