Energy and Sustainability Policy (B.A.)
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in ESP you can gain the knowledge and skills to research, analyze, and communicate diverse information about emerging global trends in energy policy, technologies, and economics. In the B.A. program, the focus is expanded to allow students to select a foreign language and take supporting coursework in global culture and humanities.
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The BA in ESP emphasizes five competency areas: energy industry knowledge, sustainability ethic, global perspective, analytical skills, and communication skills.
- Energy Industry Knowledge
- 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 for public participation in decisions whose outcomes affect environmental justice.
- Make a business case for sustainable practices within a specific energy business or utility.
- 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 with 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.
- 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-cost analyses 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.
- Communication Skills
- 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 diverse team members.
- Demonstrate competence in a language other than English.