Energy Policy Research Intern

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

Overview

Cato's Energy and Environmental Policy Studies program examines US energy markets, electricity regulation, federal and state energy subsidies, environmental regulation, and permitting. 

Most energy issues stem from policy flaws. Subsidies distort investment, utility regulation protects monopolies at ratepayers’ expense, and permitting rules hinder generation and transmission. The team advocates for ending subsidies, reforming utility regulation, and removing barriers to private investment.

Travis Fisher — a former FERC economist and DOE senior advisor with nearly two decades of experience in energy policy — specializes in the economics of electricity markets, the fiscal costs of energy subsidies, grid reliability, and structural reform of utility regulation. His recent work includes a policy analysis estimating the budgetary cost of IRA energy subsidies (up to $4.7 trillion by 2050), a case for consumer-regulated utility models at the state level, an analysis of the regulatory barriers to grid expansion, and work on how data center demand should be met.

Interns directly support Fisher with research, data analysis, writing, and legislative tracking, contributing to published analyses, congressional testimony, and public commentary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fact-finding and background research to support op-eds, blog posts, and policy analyses.
• Draft op-eds and blog posts making the market case on current energy questions. Pieces are published under Fisher's byline with intern contributors credited by name at the end. (Example of the format.)
• Propose and conduct individual research projects — past projects have included GIS analysis, international nuclear construction data, and IRA tax credit tracking.
• Track federal and state legislation and regulatory proceedings in energy and environmental policy, and produce accurate, readable summaries.
• Build and analyze datasets from EIA, FERC, EPA, and state energy agencies, and produce source-labeled charts for published work.
• Prepare materials for congressional briefings, public comments, and policy events.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of and sincere interest in US energy and environmental policy — including energy markets, electricity regulation, subsidies, and environmental regulation — grounded in and aligned with Cato's principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Ability to produce detailed, accurate research and writing that properly cites primary sources and translates technical material for policy audiences.
• Data literacy for policy analysis, including clear documentation, source-labeled charts and tables, and careful management of units and definitions.
• Professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail — data projects require careful troubleshooting, and accuracy in both analysis and written output is essential.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience or work in energy policy, electricity markets, environmental regulation, or a related field — through a research assistantship, policy organization internship, published or submitted paper, or independent project with verifiable results.
• Familiarity with the team's active research areas, including IRA energy subsidy analysis, electricity market structure, permitting reform, and EPA regulatory economics; applicants are encouraged to review the team's recently published work before applying.
• Technical skills relevant to energy data analysis — such as GIS, R, Python, or similar tools.
• Coursework or independent projects in energy economics, regulatory economics, environmental economics, or public utilities.

Finalists may be asked to submit a short writing sample on an energy or environmental policy topic.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of topics in history, philosophy, policy, and professional development. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.