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Overview
PowerLines is a national nonprofit organization that aims to modernize the utility regulatory system for American energy consumers to lower utility bills and grow the economy. It focuses on state public utilities commissions (PUCs), which play a critical role in determining how much people pay for utility bills, how utilities invest in different types of energy, and where new energy projects are built. These 200 public utility commissioners oversee more than $200 billion in utility spending each year and have significant influence over the future of our energy system.
Rising utility bills is quickly becoming a national economic and political issue. In the first half of 2025, utility rate increase requests totaled $29 billion, setting a record for any year and more than doubling the amount during the same period last year. Recognized on the 2025 “TIME100 Next” list, PowerLines is rapidly becoming a go-to source and leader in informing the national discussion of this issue and has already shaped the conversation in The New York Times, Bloomberg, CBS News, Financial Times, TIME, Vox, The Daily Mail, Heatmap News, MIT Technology Review, Latitude Media, Yahoo News, and Canary Media.
PowerLines is seeking a part-time contract Freelance Writer to support its internal and external communications. PowerLines is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Freelance Writer position is remote. This role is part-time, with workload and hours varying depending on organizational priorities, publication schedules, report launches, and events. PowerLines anticipates regular assignments on a weekly or monthly basis. Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required around critical deadlines.
The ideal candidate is a strong writer and researcher, such as a journalist, policy writer, researcher, or communications professional, with experience covering or explaining utility regulation, energy affordability, state public utility commissions, electricity markets, or related policy issues. This person must be able to translate complex regulatory and energy topics into clear, accessible, and compelling content for policymakers, reporters, advocates, and the public. The Freelance Writer will produce written materials that support the organization's mission and public engagement efforts working with PowerLines' policy and communications teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Draft clear, engaging documents on utility regulation, electricity rates, grid modernization, utility spending, rate cases, transmission, data centers, and related issues for different audiences including policymakers, media, and consumers.
- Support the drafting and editing of PowerLines’ reports and other major publications.
- Review and synthesize PUC filings, commission orders, reports, testimony, and policy documents.
- Write blog posts, fact sheets, policy briefs, newsletters, reporter resources, op-eds, and other public-facing materials.
- Help develop resources for reporters covering utility regulation and energy affordability.
- Collaborate with policy, research, and communications staff to incorporate feedback and refine materials.
- Adapt tone and format for different audiences, including policymakers, journalists, advocates, and general readers.
- Meet agreed-upon deadlines for short- and medium-form assignments while maintaining quality and consistent communication.
Requirements
Role Requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience writing about utility regulation, energy policy, electricity markets, consumer protection, public finance, infrastructure, policy, or related topics.
- Familiarity with state public utility commissions and the role they play in approving utility rates, investments, and planning decisions.
- Ability to read and interpret regulatory filings, commission orders, reports, testimony, and other policy documents.
- Ability to explain complicated policy or regulatory concepts in clear, accessible language.
- Strong research, fact-checking, and source-synthesis skills.
- Excellent writing, editing, organizational, and communication skills.
- Comfort working independently on deadline.
- Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and shifting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative mindset and ability to work well with policy experts, researchers, communicators, and non-specialist audiences.
- Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to identify what matters in complex regulatory developments.
- Experience as a journalist covering energy, utilities, state government, regulation or business.
- Experience writing for policy, advocacy, nonprofit, or research organizations.
- Familiarity with rate cases, integrated resource planning, transmission planning, utility business models, FERC, RTOs/ISOs, or consumer advocate offices.
- Ability to identify what is newsworthy or politically salient in complex regulatory developments.
- Experience writing both short-form and long-form content.
How to Apply
- Please submit the following materials:
- Resume or CV
- Two to three writing samples, preferably on energy, utilities, regulation, public policy or business.
- A brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience, your approach to explaining complex issues clearly, why you are interested in supporting PowerLines’ mission, and your general availability and preferred compensation structure
Please feel free to contact hiring@powerlines.org with any questions.