Program Competencies

The Energy and Sustainability Policy program was designed from the ground up. One thing that distinguishes this program from many others is that the design process was driven by the input of an Advisory Board. Our Advisory Board is comprised of a group of professionals from a wide range of positions and responsibilities in the energy industry. The Advisory Board helped us to identify and articulate the knowledge, skills, and values that are required in the industry today. As a direct result of our continual interaction with our Advisory board, the ESP program emphasizes learning in five competency areas:

Energy Industry Knowledge
Sustainability Ethic
Analytical Skills
Global Perspective
Communication Skills

You can review in more detail what each of these competency areas involves below.

Energy Industry Knowledge Learning Competencies

Demonstrate broad and accurate business and technical knowledge of all major sectors of the energy industry, including conventional, alternative/renewable, and emerging technologies.
Recognize and correct misinformation about the energy resources on which society depends, the prevailing and emerging new technologies, policies and associated rules by which energy is produced and supplied, and the environmental and human implications of energy consumption.
Explain the requirements of private and public sources of financing of energy ventures in light of political, legal, and regulatory considerations, tax and accounting policies, and warrantied performance of energy technologies.
Cite case studies to explain principles of energy and environmental economics, including pricing of non-market values, cap and trade, and social discounting.

Sustainability Ethic

Embody the conviction that corporate interests can be reconciled with social and environmental interests;
Advocate public participation in decisions whose outcomes affect environmental justice; and
Make a business case for sustainable practices in the context of a particular energy business or utility.

Analytical Skills

Find, read, understand, interpret, and synthesize evolving energy policy and regulations;
Understand legislative processes within state, federal, and international governments, including the roles of regulators, non-governmental organizations, and other advocacy groups;
Prepare and critique quantitative benefit and cost analysis of proposed and existing energy business ventures;
Assure regulatory compliance of utilities and related entities;
Help identify advantageous sites and routes for energy generation, transmission, and distribution.

Global perspective

Illustrate and explain the geographic distributions of various energy resources.
Discuss case studies that reveal how global systems of energy production, distribution, and consumption are linked to social and environmental systems in particular places (e.g., climate change, water scarcity).
Document pertinent insights gained from an overseas field trip, internship, or other relevant international experience.

Communications

Excellent communication skills are necessary to review and discuss energy and sustainability policy effectively. As you continue your studies, you should be able to:

Effectively explain to diverse audiences – orally, in writing, and through maps and other information graphics – the intended and unintended consequences of energy policy and regulation;
Listen to and learn from other members of diverse teams;
Demonstrate competence in a language other than English.

Program Competencies