Regulatory Associate

Organization Description:

Clean Grid Alliance (CGA) is a nonprofit organization whose 65+ members include wind, solar and energy storage developers and manufacturers, non-profit environmental, public interest and clean energy advocacy organizations, and other businesses that support renewable energy. CGA is a vital player in the fast-changing clean energy sector. Clean energy (and other technologies that will enable a clean and renewable future) is growing rapidly and includes wind, solar, storage, and other emerging technologies like hydrogen —all of which will need CGA’s expertise and engagement in the years to come. CGA’s current footprint includes nine states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri. CGA’s work with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) also includes MISO South (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and a small part of Texas).

Position Description:

Clean Grid Alliance seeks a Regulatory Associate to assist with the organization’s work on clean energy in front of regulatory bodies, including expanding transmission across the region, participating in resource planning, implementing legislation through rulemaking proceedings, and responding to other regulatory issues that may arise in the context of clean energy development in the Midwest. The position entails assisting with both CGA-only initiatives, and initiatives that are done collectively with a group of organizations.

CGA is looking for an eager, curious, organized, collaborative, self-starter who has a strong drive to tackle work that makes a meaningful difference. The successful candidate must have some knowledge/experience with clean energy issues, ability to successfully lead/complete work that is assigned, enjoy working both independently and with a team, and want to tackle and “own” your work and place in the organization.  The successful candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills. This position may also bridge between MISO work, policy work, and state regulatory advocacy, providing “connective tissue” between several CGA work streams.

The Regulatory Associate will be part of the CGA team working on regulatory issues day-to-day. The successful candidate will also interact with CGA members, and CGA’s other teams – particularly State Advocacy and Communications – on a regular basis.

The position offers the opportunity to:

• strengthen your clean energy skills
• learn the inner workings of state regulatory agencies and proceedings
• work with a group of seasoned industry leaders
• have your own portfolio of work to lead.

This is an excellent position for someone seeking to take on more responsibility if you already have 5+ years work experience in a related position and are looking to play a role in achieving a clean energy transition in the Midwest or for an attorney or recent policy school graduate with 1-5 years of experience looking to gain skills in energy and administrative law.

The location for the position is remote, but location within CGA’s footprint (IL, IA, IN, MI, MN, MO, ND, SD, or WI) is preferred. CGA has an office located in St. Paul, Minnesota. CGA currently has a hybrid work environment and does host quarterly (March, June, September, December) member meetings in Minneapolis/St. Paul which staff attend in person. This position may offer the ability to travel approximately 10% of the time.

Job duties:

• Working as part of the regulatory team, support work directed by the Director of Regulatory Advocacy to implement a multi-year strategic plan for expanding CGA’s regulatory work in the Midwest.
• Track information on and participate in proceedings at state public utility commissions, including siting and construction permits, rulemakings, resource planning dockets, and other dockets and issues as needed.
• Research emerging issues and trends relating to utility and clean energy regulation.
• Perform substantive, programmatic, and administrative duties to execute the strategic plan.
• Track issues related to MISO and FERC, and coordinate among CGA’s policy, MISO, regulatory, and communications teams.
• Provide regulatory updates to CGA’s members and board, and identify opportunities for members to participate in state-level regulatory proceedings.
• In conjunction with the Director of Regulatory Advocacy, support fundraising for resources to execute on the strategic plan.
• In conjunction with CGA’s Communications Team, prepare updates and articles for CGA’s monthly e-newsletter and American Clean Power (ACP) Association’s monthly Transmission & Markets report, and other reports as needed.
• In conjunction with CGA’s Communications Team, prepare articles, blog posts, social media, and other related materials.
• As requested and appropriate, participate in presentations at conferences and meetings to advocate for CGA positions and priorities.
• Travel as required by the position.
• Other duties as required.

Job Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years in technical or policy work in energy or related fields OR a J.D. from an accredited law school or Masters’ degree in energy policy or related field.
2. Ability to support an aggressive but doable agenda and help implement it.
3. Experience engaging, influencing, and working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders across different interests.
4. Ability to reconcile challenging and diverse viewpoints among non-profit organizations, for-profit renewable energy companies, CGA members and other organizations with whom CGA is working.
5. Experience in energy or utility law or experience at a state public utility commission or renewable energy company is preferred, but is not required.
6. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and priorities at once, perform well in fast-paced environment and effectively apply good judgement skills.
7. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and can perceive when to build consensus and when to lead.
8. Ability to conduct rigorous information gathering and compile findings into easily digested and compelling formats.
9. Self-starter who can work independently.
10. Ability to travel as required by the position.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for the Regulatory Associate is $85,000-$100,000, depending on experience and the candidate’s qualifications. Excellent benefits include 100% employer paid health, dental and vision insurance, long-and short-term disability, generous vacation, 11.5 paid holidays, and 6% base pay contribution to retirement plan after employee is vested after 1 year of employment.

To Apply:     Email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to [email protected] no later than August 15, 2024.

Clean Grid Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.