Senior Manager, Energy Market Policy

With world attention on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. By focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches, we tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. We are one of the world’s largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of approximately 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. We operate in 22 geographies with unique projects running across four programs. You will be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and results are a way of life.

EDF envisions a world in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected to the environmental challenges we face and are engaged in creating durable, equitable solutions. We seek talented candidates who share the Core Values that allow us to experiment courageously in our work while staying true to who we’ve been as an organization for 50 years. Are you a results oriented individual who is passionate about creating environmental solutions that make a lasting difference in the world? Do you respect diverse perspectives, talents and contributions? Do you value innovation and enjoy designing and using a wide range of problem-solving tools? Do you embrace environmental goals with a sense of optimism while taking into account real-world dynamics? If you have integrity and a strong desire to uphold a commitment to science, rigorous analysis, intellectual honesty and ethical action, then EDF is the place for you.

EDF’s Wholesale Energy Market Advocacy

The energy system continues to rapidly evolve based on technological innovation, particularly in the clean energy and storage segments, and due, in part, to domestic shale gas abundance.  Decreasing costs for clean energy suggest the possibility of accelerated market-driven deployment of distributed and renewable energy, storage, and demand response. Climate policy compels a change in the resource mix impacted by the need for strategic electrification, electric vehicle grid integration and a more controllable, data-driven energy system. 

Regional wholesale electricity markets in the US are critical advocacy forums for facilitating and amplifying these trends.   The organized competitive markets provide the primary impetus channeling capital and investment for energy infrastructure deployment.  EDF has a long history of achieving environmental goals through market-based mechanisms and incentives to protect public health and the environment, at the state level and nationally. Within our Energy Program, EDF’s Gas-to-Clean project is helping provide a pathway for clean energy integration by refining energy market rules to direct capital investment for infrastructure designed to accelerate the trend to a more dynamic, responsive and renewable energy system. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and many state public utility commissions are exploring market refinements to update the wholesale electricity and natural gas market designs, which presents an opportunity to better guide the transition from coal to gas to clean energy - a crucial element of making sure natural gas use contributes to climate solutions. 

Overall Function

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Energy Markets & Utility Regulation, the Senior Manager, Regional Energy Market Policy, will advance the priorities of EDF’s Gas-to-Clean program in the PJM electric power market. The Sr. Manager, Regional Energy Market Policy will have direct responsibility for building upon and improving existing strategy and advancing EDF’s interests in PJM and, to a lesser extent, with state agencies. This position is also responsible for contributing to the development and regional relevance of complex economic analysis, and will represent EDF publicly in stakeholder meetings, blogs, conferences, and presentations. S/he will also develop key alliances and partnership both internally, with other EDF initiatives, and externally, with environmental groups, consumer advocates, and key market participants. In coordination with EDF economists and analysts, the Sr. Manager will be instrumental in the development of regionally specific market mechanisms and compensation structures such as flexible services, ramping, and others that strengthen price formation in the PJM markets. Finally, s/he will analyze and improve existing tariff language, legal comments and other formal submissions to both PJM and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Key Responsibilities

• Play the lead role in refining and implementing the strategic vision of the Gas to Clean project in PJM.
• Represent EDF in high profile, strategic forums developing trust and strong relationships with key regional stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue high level, strategic partnerships with market participants including regulated utilities and clean energy providers to advance programmatic goals.
• Lead EDF’s involvement in PJM committee processes to improve market operations, design, and technical forecasting. Analyze, critique, and ideally improve proposals and reports utilized in the region, advocating for market-based solutions that align with Gas to Clean objectives.
• With support from EDF analytical staff and other team members, develop new policies, market mechanisms, services, and products that will enhance grid flexibility, improve reliability, and minimize future dependence on fossil fuel resources.
• Draft comments, proposals, and reports detailing EDF’s unique legal, policy and markets perspectives.
• Forge key internal collaborations to align programmatic outcome with overall organizational goals.
• Leverage public speaking and other external communication opportunities to enhance EDF’s programmatic objectives. Write blogs and journal articles, etc. in collaboration with EDF’s Communications team to communicate policy recommendations to target audiences.
• Collaborate with attorneys and other relevant team members to advance EDF’s participation in ongoing FERC proceedings considering market refinements, including enhanced coordination between the wholesale natural gas and electric markets in PJM.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated strategic thinker who can synthesize and translate complicated material;
• Strong political acuity, as well as knowledge of electricity and gas markets;
• Experience working with legislators, regulators, stakeholders and industry advocacy groups;
• Strong knowledge of energy law and policy, energy regulation, and environmental policy
• Familiarity with RTO governance structures as well as natural gas market fundamentals;
• Ability to resolve differences and build relationships;
• Experience in project/case management and working on project teams;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; an adept negotiator and advocate;
• Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Law, Economics, Political Science or Business Administration. Candidates with an MBA, Masters, JD are strongly preferred;
• Minimum 6 years of experience in competitive energy markets policy, regulatory and/or government affairs, preferably in the electric power industry, commodity trading/analysis, or via related experience such as consulting;
• Track record of cultivating high-level relationships 
• Understanding of power market designs and energy policies related to renewable power generation operations and knowledge of the various market products in the wholesale marketplace;
• Demonstrated experience with market designs and energy policy advocacy in the PJM power markets is highly preferred, including a network of strong relationships in the power sector;
• Experience with stakeholder processes and/or demonstrated ability to project influence externally with market operators, government officials and policymakers.