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Research Opportunities for Students

EPIC hires 3-4 USD law students each semester to conduct legal and policy research on a range of energy topics.  In the past, students have tracked and analyzed energy legislation and regulation and written detailed papers that address a legal or policy topic in the energy field. 

EPIC has an ongoing need for student researchers in the following areas:

1.  CPUC/FERC Energy Proceedings
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceedings significantly affect the San Diego region and California.  EPIC will review rulings/decisions/orders and party comments, summarize significant rulings/decisions, and track procedural schedules.  This information is provided to regional and statewide energy stakeholders and posted on the EPIC website.

2.  California Energy Legislation
When the California legislative session is underway there typically is range of energy-related legislation under consideration from renewable energy and climate change to transmission lines and hydrogen fuels.  EPIC tracks and analyzes key energy bills.   This information is provided to regional and statewide energy stakeholders and posted on the EPIC website.

3.  Energy-Related Lawsuits
Since the 2000-2001 California energy crisis, there has been a series of lawsuits alleging market manipulation among other violations.  In many cases, companies have been required to return millions of dollars to ratepayers for overcharges.  EPIC tracks these and other related lawsuits affecting statewide and regional energy regulation.

For More Information

Contact Scott Anders, EPIC Director, at 619-260-4589 or scottanders@sandiego.edu.    

Application Procedure

If you are interested in being considered for a student research position at EPIC, please contact the USD School of Law Financial Aid Office (619-269-6664) to determine if you are eligible for the Work Study Program.  Submit a resume and brief writing sample to Scott Anders.  Someone from EPIC will contact you to set up an interview. 

Feel free to stop by the EPIC offices anytime to discuss research opportunities.  We are located in the ground floor of the Pardee Legal Research Center.  Enter from the back of the building.