Summer 2027 Clean Energy Business Intern

Overview NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.  As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.   Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).   Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org. Our interns play an active role on the front lines of the environmental movement. Over the course of an internship, NRDC interns work with lawyers, scientists, or policy analysts in different program areas and amass experience that they could not have obtained anywhere else. Interns also have access to various events to enhance their NRDC experience. NRDC interns may support or work on: Research, data collection, and analysis Writing and developing materials for state and federal campaigns Supporting with designing equitable policy solutions Copywriting and editing social media posts and supporting on marketing campaigns Brainstorming opportunities for process improvements, new vendors, partnerships, and engagement Project management of department and team-wide initiatives You can find examples of work by our interns on our Careers Page. Responsibilities POSITION SUMMARY NRDC's Center for Campaigns & Organizing is seeking a graduate intern to support ongoing projects and priorities for our partner E2 (Economy+Environment) and the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR).  This intern will report into the Senior Director of Business Outreach & Engagement.  This intern can be based out of our New York, Chicago, or Washington, DC office.  Interns are expected to be onsite 3 days per week. The Clean Energy Business Intern will produce a 2027 Energy Business Trends series comparing four fast-moving clean energy sectors against the oil and gas industry. The sectors are solar, geothermal, and battery storage. This intern will also complete a focused case study on conventional natural gas versus renewable natural gas (RNG). The research will track where capital, deal flow, project pipelines, jobs, and supply chains are moving. It will also look at how rising electricity demand from data centers and new manufacturing, changing federal tax credit timelines and state policy are reshaping competition across the energy economy. The findings will feed directly into E2/CTLR's work. This intern will gain direct exposure to senior industry leaders and learn how market data turns into decisions by executives and policymakers. Key deliverables can include sector trend briefs, a comparative market dashboard, an RNG vs. natural gas business case analysis, executive discussion guides, and a capstone report recommending where clean energy leaders can find growth, partnerships and policy wins. Qualifications REQUIREMENTS Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program Strong written and verbal communication skills Able to work independently Project management and/or problem solving skills Strong attention to detail Research and/or data analysis skills Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles DETAILS Duration: 10-weeks | Commitment: 35 hours/week Summer Session 1: Monday May 24, 2027 – Friday July 30, 2027 Summer Session 2: Monday June 7, 2027 – Friday August 13, 2027 Summer Session 3: Monday June 21, 2027 – Friday August 27, 2027 Hybrid Work Model: Summer Interns are expected to be in office 3 days/week.  We will not be able to offer relocation assistance for the summer. Stipend: This is a paid internship with a stipend equivalent of $10,000.00 paid bi-weekly over the course of the assignment. HOW TO APPLY Please apply via the 'Apply for this job online’ link at the top of the job description on our Careers Page. In your application please include: A resume A cover letter that highlights your interest in working at NRDC and which summer session(s) you can join Application Reviews begin the week of October 26.  Positions will remain open and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply early. If you are applying to multiple internship opportunities and are interested in submitting more than one set of materials, please add new materials per opportunity - do not replace your current materials. If you have any questions or issues with iCIMS or applying, please reach out to [email protected].  Please do not resubmit your application via email. Our Talent Acquisition team is committed to reviewing each application received. To keep application reviews by our team equitable, we will only accept applications submitted via iCIMS th