Congressional Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy
About R Street’s Congressional Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy
In 2024, the R Street Institute hosted its inaugural 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, participants explored and discussed R Street’s research and perspective on issues ranging from electricity markets and transmission policy to permitting reform and climate policy. Common themes included 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 took place at a Capitol Hill-adjacent location from 6:00 to 8:00 PM ET every Thursday evening from Feb. 22 through March 28. Each session began with a reception and networking opportunity over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an off-the-record roundtable presentation and discussion.
Future Fellowships
The R Street Institute plans to repeat this fellowship in the future and may replicate the program for other policy areas. This page will be updated to reflect future fellowship opportunities. In the meantime, please direct any questions to R Street’s Director of Federal Government Affairs, Jeff Vanderslice, at [email protected].
2024 Syllabus
| Date | time | topic |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 | 6 – 8pm ET (Welcoming Reception and Discussion) | Energy and Environmental Policy Today: An Introduction to the Basics |
| Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 | 6 – 8pm ET (Reception and Discussion) | Fiscal and Environmental Responsibility: Green Subsidies vs. Cutting Red Tape |
| Thursday, March 7, 2024 | 6 – 8pm ET (Reception and Discussion) | Transportation: Driving Policy of the Future |
| Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 6 – 8pm ET (Reception and Discussion) | Electrifying the World through Competition and Consumer Choice |
| Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 6 – 8pm ET (Reception and Discussion) | Market Solutions: Case Studies in Insurance and Climate Policy |
| Thursday, March 28 | 6 – 8pm ET (Discussion and Closing Reception) | Technology and the Energy Revolution: Reasons for Optimism |
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 worked 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 the climate denialism often promoted on the other. We are strong 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, are encouraged to submit a statement of interest.
Notes
- This congressional fellowship is designed to conform to House and Senate Ethics rules.
- Still images and general descriptions of the fellowship may be used in future materials.
Questions?
E-mail Jeff Vanderslice, [email protected].