Congressional Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy
About the Fellowship
In 2025, the R Street Institute will host its second annual Congressional Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy—a six-week-long nonpartisan and bicameral educational fellowship program for congressional policy staff interested in exploring energy and environmental policy through a market-oriented lens. During this immersive, off-the-record educational experience of presentations and discussions, participants will explore and discuss R Street’s research and perspective on issues ranging from electricity markets and transmission policy to permitting reform and climate policy. Common themes will include the transformative effects of competition and consumer choice, the nexus of fiscal and environmental responsibility, and how to unlock the technologies driving a cleaner and more prosperous future.
The fellowship will take place at a Capitol Hill-adjacent location from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET every Thursday evening from March 6 through April 10. Each evening session will begin with a reception and networking opportunity over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an off-the-record roundtable presentation and discussion. Interested House and Senate policy staff are encouraged to submit a statement of interest via the following form.
Sample Syllabus
| Date and Time | Format | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, March 6 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception, Introductions, and Discussion | Energy and Environmental Policy Today: An Introduction to the Basics |
| Thursday, March 13 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception and Discussion | Electricity Policy 101 |
| Thursday, March 20 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception and Discussion | The Future of Insuring Natural Disasters |
| Thursday, March 27 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception and Discussion | Electrifying the World through Competition and Consumer Choice |
| Thursday, April 3 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception and Discussion | Today’s Opportunities: Energy Permitting and the “Green Transition” |
| Thursday, April 10 6:00-8:00 p.m. | Reception and Discussion | Budget Woes and Climate Mitigation Policy |
Prior Fellowships
In 2024, R Street hosted its inaugural Congressional Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy from Feb. 22 through March 28, featuring a bipartisan, bicameral cohort of 28 fellows.
R Street’s Research and Perspective on Energy and Environmental Policy
The depth and breadth of R Street’s expertise in energy and environmental policy is unique among D.C. think tanks. Many of the experts participating in this fellowship have spent careers as practitioners in electricity regulation, insurance analysis, and other fields. But most importantly, we believe that our perspective offers a meaningful alternative to the command-and-control perspective we often see on the one hand and climate denialism that is often promoted on the other. We are strident supporters of free markets and limited government and believe that these principles provide the most effective solutions—with the fewest unintended consequences—to the very real energy and environmental challenges we face. Participants do not need to agree with this perspective in part or in whole to join; rather, anyone interested in learning more about this topic and our perspective, including potential areas of overlap, is encouraged to submit a statement of interest.
Notes
- This congressional fellowship has been designed to conform with House and Senate Ethics rules.
- Still images and general descriptions of the fellowship may be used in future materials.
Submit Statement of Interest
Interested House and Senate policy staff are encouraged to submit a statement of interest via the following form.
Other R Street Fellowships
Are you interested in other R Street congressional fellowships? See below for our current offerings.
Questions?
Contact Alexandra Perez at aperez@rstreet.org.