Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy

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Employment in the green energy sector is rapidly growing, creating a need for a well-prepared workforce with practical skills and broad knowledge regarding the green energy sector. The Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy verifies to potential employers that the desired skills are acquired.

State and local governments are actively working with energy programs at URI, and the Governor, legislature, environmental groups, and other nongovernment organizations are looking towards energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy production, and other programs to create and promote affordable, clean, and reliable energy.

Our energy challenges create great opportunities for professionals who have demonstrated expertise in energy economics, policy, and management. Nationwide, firms in the energy sector anticipated roughly 7% employment growth overall for 2016, including 260,000 jobs in energy efficiency (US Department of Energy, 2016). According to the Rhode Island Clean Energy Industry report, employment in the RI clean energy sector grew by 40% between 2015 and 2016, but energy companies have had difficulty finding qualified applicants for open positions (State of Rhode Island, 2016).

By earning the Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy, students are better equipped with the skills they need to compete in the marketplace and succeed in the green sectors of our economy, and they possess an accredited certificate to verify their claim.

In addition, the approved energy-related professional experience required by the certificate program provides students with opportunities to apply knowledge and analytical skills obtained in the classroom to help communities, agencies, and organizations. This is an attribute that is valued by many businesses.

The skills acquired via the Certificate in Energy Economics and Policy are in great demand by local, state, and federal government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Recipients of our energy certificate will have acquired a skillset that is ideally suited to meet these needs and will help them compete for jobs in the marketplace.

Potential employers include those in the private sector, public sector, and nongovernmental organizations.

You could qualify for jobs like:

• Analyst for the US Department of Energy
• Policy and evaluation analyst for National Grid
• Energy industry analyst for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Energy advisor for non-governmental organization like the Sierra Club
• Energy specialist for the Department of Interior
• Program Support Specialist for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
• Residential Energy Specialist for community associations

Examples of the type of work the certificate may qualify you do to:

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop and conduct analyses that support sustainable environmental protection and management
• Assist in the planning of efficiency programs through cost-effectiveness analyses, analysis of energy efficiency program costs and results
• Participate in teams or serve as a team leader to analyze the functioning of the electricity grid, and make recommendations on regulations.
• Provide step-by-step guidance, and advise businesses and homeowners making decisions on solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
• Contribute to leadership in the global transition to a clean energy economy through high-impact research
• Support energy-related decisions to balance economic development, energy independence, and environmental protection.
• Collect energy data, perform statistical studies, and carry out research for government agencies and private companies

Questions?