Sarah Stevens '09

Conservation Law Foundation
  Brunswick, Maine

January 2009  

My January internship with the Conservation Law Foundation’s Maine Advocacy Center exposed me to many diverse issue areas in Maine, New England, and around the world. It was a valuable experience that allowed me to research several topics and become familiar with their policy processes and outcomes.  I now have a much clearer sense of how environmental advocacy organizations function and what it takes to create change on an important issue. Colby courses provided me with crucial research skills and background knowledge of many topics that I was able to apply throughout my internship. A strong foundation in scientific processes allowed me to understand policy decisions more thoroughly and identify appropriate alternatives.

Specifically, I researched several areas of marine policy, energy projects, and waste disposal at landfills across the state of Maine. My research allowed me to explore many different topics, and understand the issues surrounding several policy areas. I researched the proposal for Downeast LNG’s terminal in Cobscook Bay, which taught me more about the FERC and Coast Guard approval processes for marine energy projects. I became familiar with various aspects of marine spatial planning around the world as I looked for legislative implementation of marine spatial planning schemes. I also explored the possibility of using marine spatial planning in the Gulf of Maine and Northern Atlantic to protect deep-water corals, build sustainable fisheries, and allow for the development of offshore renewable energy facilities. Locally, I did some research on the process for redeveloping the Brunswick Naval Air Station. The base is closing, and planning is underway to rezone the area and develop it as a multi-use area for business, residences, and recreation. Another topic I worked on was the proposal by CMP to upgrade the electricity transmission system in Maine. I read and summarized the testimony of several electricity experts, and examined the Non-Transmission Alternatives analysis for different regions in the state.

My supervisor did a wonderful job making sure that my research was useful and interesting. I also attended several meetings, including the CLF board meeting and a meeting of the Environmental Priorities Coalition. Both of these opportunities exposed me to more of the policy issues that are pertinent to Mainers, and showed me how environmental organizations are working to make a difference in the state. My internship at CLF was an extremely valuable experience, and solidified my desire to work for an environmental group exploring policy issues when I graduate.