As you’re all settling into the summer, perhaps you’re hoping to tune into a great podcast. Here, for your listening pleasure, is an episode produced by a team of students in ENVS 303: Green Tea Podcast. Put in some earbuds, press play, and get inspired for some climate action.
Monday, May 22, 2023
Friday, May 19, 2023
EPA Carbon Sequestration Fellowship
EPA Carbon Sequestration Fellowship

- An application
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
- Two educational or professional recommendations. Click here for detailed information about recommendations.
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.
EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Water Division, Permits Branch, Underground Injection Control Section, located in Chicago, Illinois. The Underground Injection Control Section is responsible for protecting underground sources of drinking water by regulation of injection wells, which inject fluids into the subsurface. This includes Class VI wells, which inject carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change.
Research Project: Assist the national effort to combat climate change as it relates to the permitting of carbon sequestration (Class VI) injection wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The selected participant will research, compile, analyze and summarize data related to Class VI permit applications and information related to the underground injection of hazardous wastes. This research is part of an inter-agency effort alongside state counterparts and other USEPA Regions' and Headquarters' UIC staff to characterize and analyze present Class VI permits and the potential future applications. This includes analysis of Class I and Class VI permit applications nationwide and No Migration Petitions and may include criteria development, reservoir modeling, and plugging methodology.
Learning Objectives:
- Determine the feasibility of various tracking/monitoring tools
- Perform multi-phase and geochemical modeling of the behavior of CO2 and/or hazardous waste in subsurface formations in Region 5
- Identify weaknesses and risks associated with using self-insurance to demonstrate financial responsibility for Class VI projects, based on historical corporate failures
- Analyze statistical and market variability of plugging and abandonment, and corrective action costs
- Analyze the risks associated with enhanced oil recovery fields and Class VI sites in Region 5
- Research the potential for and environmental impacts of uncontrolled blowouts from Class VI projects, and evaluate emergency shut-off mechanisms
- Evaluate current methods of identifying potential leakage pathways and remediation options for Class VI scenarios
- Evaluate guidances and other supporting documents
- Evaluate regional technical, geological, and other project-related trends in applications and projects
Mentors: The mentor for questions for this opportunity is Andrew Greenhagen (greenhagen.andrew@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2023. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.
Appointment Length: The appointment may initially be for one year and may be renewed three to four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.
EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
ORISE offers all ORISE EPA postdoctoral students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).
Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Discipline(s):
Internship: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance (OECA)
Student Intern Program
The National Enforcement Training Institute (NETI), in EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), offers qualified and highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to work side by side with practicing environmental technical professionals and attorneys in its Washington, D.C. office. We are seeking students in a variety of fields including computer science, computer programming, data analysis, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, GIS, economics, health sciences, public policy, government, and communication. All Student Intern positions are unpaid.
What do Student Interns in this program do?
Student Interns work with practicing environmental technical professionals and attorneys on projects related to civil (administrative and judicial), investigations, inspections, data analysis, federal facilities enforcement, state/tribal enforcement coordination, and other matters. Our offices implement and enforce the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and other environmental laws. Specific projects and assigned practice areas will depend upon the student’s placement.
For more information about OECA’s activities, see www.epa.gov/enforcement and www.epa.gov/compliance. During the Summer semester NETI’s Student Intern Program includes a series of unique, specialized training sessions on environmental laws and the compliance and enforcement process. These weekly seminars provide first-hand knowledge from EPA’s leading compliance and enforcement experts.
Who is eligible?
Qualified students must be enrolled in an accredited college or university at least part time. Positions are competitive. We look for qualified and highly motivated candidates with superior records of achievement, a commitment to environmental, and who also work well in teams.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a resume, two or three references (name, title, phone number and email address), a writing sample, and a cover letter that includes a statement of interest that highlights skills and subject area preferences. Please submit this information to OECA_Volunteer_Intern_Program@epa.gov. On the email’s subject line please include your name and indicate your timeframe of interest (Fall, Spring and/or Summer).
Deadlines:
Applications for Spring: last Friday in September [minimum of 15 hours per week for 10 weeks]
Applications for Summer: last Friday in February [minimum of 40 hours per week for 10 weeks]
Applications for Fall: last Friday in May [minimum of 15 hours per week for 10 weeks]
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be considered after the deadline if positions are available.



