Source: State of Washington Careers
The Energy Policy Office within the Energy Division is seeking a Senior Energy Policy Specialist. The Senior Energy Policy Specialist is the lead policy expert on resource planning and implementation by energy utilities, including electricity and natural gas, in Washington. This position serves as a policy expert on verification and compliance with renewable energy standards by utilities. This position serves as a liaison on utility policy between Commerce staff (including the clean technology sector lead and Clean Energy Fund program staff) and key leaders and staff at the Governor’s Policy Office, the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Washington State Auditor, the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.Duties
- Provide policy and economic analysis on key energy and climate policies under consideration in the development of the 2021 State Energy Strategy.
- Provide policy and economic analysis in the development, implementation, and oversight of Washington’s clean electricity laws, including the Clean Energy Transformation Act and the Energy Independence Act.
- Prepare draft rules, advisory opinions, explanatory statements and other information in support of state energy and climate policy.
- Provide economic and policy analysis in support of comments and other feedback during the development of the 2021 Northwest Power Plan.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to policy makers concerning possible implementation of a cap and trade mechanism for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including the development of policy approaches to identify and regulate appropriately energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries.
- Act as primary or backup state program administrator of the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System, coordinating state policies and actions with other states’ administrators.
- Provide policy support on projects to collect data, analyze, and compile reports on utility resource plans, fuel source reports, and other topics as required.
- Provide policy analysis and implementation support for mechanisms to improve access to capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments.
- Coordinate and support the consistent interpretation of state clean energy laws and rules among involved state agencies, including the Utilities and Transportation Commission, the State Auditor, and the Department of Ecology.
- Provide analytical and policy support to other statewide initiatives within the Energy Division and the agency.
- Prepare and maintain publications and online resources related to utility resource planning and implementation, including relevant sections of the State Energy Strategy and its updates.
- Represent Commerce externally and perform policy and economic analysis on issues relating to resource planning and implementation by energy utilities, including electricity and natural gas.
- Engage stakeholders to find policy solutions that increase sustainable energy, support the growth of the clean technology economy, and drive capital investment in Washington.