Intern (Summer 2026)

Overview

PowerLines is a national nonprofit organization that aims to modernize the utility regulatory system for American energy consumers to lower utility bills and grow the economy. It focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which play a critical role in determining how much people pay for utility bills, how utilities invest in different types of energy, and where new energy projects are built. These 200 commissioners oversee more than $200 billion in utility spending each year and have significant influence over the future of our energy system.

Rising utility bills is quickly becoming a national economic and political issue. In 2025, utilities requested a record-setting $31 billion in rate increases, double the previous record, while 80 million Americans are struggling to pay their utility bills. Meanwhile, the U.S. grid is experiencing the fastest rise in electricity demand in decades with the growth of AI data centers and manufacturing. Utility bills have become a defining national economic and political issue.

Recognized on the 2025 “TIME100 Next” list, PowerLines is rapidly becoming a go-to source and leader in informing the national discussion of this issue and has already shaped the conversation in the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Politico, Bloomberg, CBS News, NPR, Marketplace, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, and MIT Technology Review.

To support this mission, PowerLines is seeking motivated, detail-oriented Summer 2026 interns to contribute meaningfully to active policy, partnership, and communications workstreams. Interns will gain hands-on experience at the intersection of energy policy, consumer issues, and nonprofit strategy.

Requirements

Internship Responsibilities

The exact set of responsibilities and portfolio of projects will be tailored to the specific intern's interests, skills, and experience. Below is a representative sample of potential projects:

Policy & Research 

• Tracking and summarizing state legislation and regulatory dockets related to utility regulation issues
• Conducting landscape analyses across multiple states, including comparative policy research
• Synthesizing regulatory filings, rate cases, and policy developments into concise memos and briefing documents
• Conducting background research on topics such as grid planning, energy affordability, and utility cost drivers
• Supporting development of one-pagers, policy briefs, and presentations for internal and external audiences

Partnerships & Coalition Development 

• Assisting with stakeholder mapping across policymakers, regulators, advocacy groups, and industry
• Tracking outreach, meetings, and partner engagement efforts
• Preparing materials for partner briefings, workshops, and convenings
• Supporting event planning logistics (agendas, run-of-show documents, notes, follow-up materials)
• Helping document and organize partnership insights to inform strategy

Communications & Organizational Support

• Drafting newsletter content, social media copy, and website updates
• Assisting in preparing external-facing thought leadership materials
• Supporting development of slide decks and visual summaries
• Helping manage internal trackers and project management systems
• Contributing to ad hoc projects across policy, partnerships, and operations

Role Requirements

The ideal intern is curious, organized, and eager to contribute to a growing national organization working at the intersection of policy and consumer impact.

Core Qualifications:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely
• Interest in public policy, energy systems, economics, government, or nonprofit advocacy
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Comfort working independently while collaborating across teams
  
  

How To Apply:

• Please include your CV/resume and a cover letter. All materials submitted, including the cover letter, will be carefully read and considered. 
• Priority consideration will be given to applications received by April 15, 2026, but applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.