School of Energy Resources Students Complete Legislative Internships during Budget Session

 

During the recent legislative budget session, two students in the Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) degree programs in the School of Energy Resources (SER) participated in the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program.

Rachel Reese of Johnstown, Colo., and Tyler Schlagel of Cheyenne, Wyo., spent over 40 hours among Legislative Service Office staff, Wyoming legislators, and other elected officials during the 2024 session to gain a new appreciation for, and perspective on, representative democracy and public service in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Legislative Internship Program offers a unique ‘behind the scenes’ opportunity for college students to assist legislators and observe the Wyoming Legislature in action. Students from all majors are immersed in the session, committee meetings, and given tasks to assist legislators for the duration of the session.  

“It was a delight to have Rachel and Tyler participating in the legislative internship this year,” says Legislative Intern Coordinator Lavonda Kopsa. “They were both engaged and learned a lot about the process. Both students did an excellent job of representing UW, and the SER program during their legislative internship.”

The intersection between energy and the law is especially significant in Wyoming. With a curriculum heavy in federal land use, contracts, and property law, the ERMD degree program positions students to enter the workforce with a comprehensive understanding of the role that the law plays in the energy sector. It further delivers a competitive-edge for students hoping to remain in the legal and regulatory field.

Majoring in ERMD, both Reese and Schlagel have their sights set on law school. Reese is pursuing the Professional Land Management (PLM) concentration and is a declared 3+3 student, while Schlagel is in the Energy and Environmental Systems (EES) concentration and is also earning the Land Administration certificate.

“At this point in time, Tyler and Rachel are hoping to attend the UW Law School, so getting to see the system in action has been so beneficial for both of them,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “This is the first time that the School of Energy Resources has been represented among the legislative internship pool, and it is a great opportunity for those legal-minded students to be immersed in the process of crafting and introducing bills, negotiating on the floor, and understanding the wider impacts of even the smallest piece of legislation.”

During the recent legislative budget session, two students in the Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) degree programs in the School of Energy Resources (SER) participated in the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program.

Rachel Reese of Johnstown, Colo., and Tyler Schlagel of Cheyenne, Wyo., spent over 40 hours among Legislative Service Office staff, Wyoming legislators, and other elected officials during the 2024 session to gain a new appreciation for, and perspective on, representative democracy and public service in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Legislative Internship Program offers a unique ‘behind the scenes’ opportunity for college students to assist legislators and observe the Wyoming Legislature in action. Students from all majors are immersed in the session, committee meetings, and given tasks to assist legislators for the duration of the session.  

“It was a delight to have Rachel and Tyler participating in the legislative internship this year,” says Legislative Intern Coordinator Lavonda Kopsa. “They were both engaged and learned a lot about the process. Both students did an excellent job of representing UW, and the SER program during their legislative internship.”

The intersection between energy and the law is especially significant in Wyoming. With a curriculum heavy in federal land use, contracts, and property law, the ERMD degree program positions students to enter the workforce with a comprehensive understanding of the role that the law plays in the energy sector. It further delivers a competitive-edge for students hoping to remain in the legal and regulatory field.

Majoring in ERMD, both Reese and Schlagel have their sights set on law school. Reese is pursuing the Professional Land Management (PLM) concentration and is a declared 3+3 student, while Schlagel is in the Energy and Environmental Systems (EES) concentration and is also earning the Land Administration certificate.

“At this point in time, Tyler and Rachel are hoping to attend the UW Law School, so getting to see the system in action has been so beneficial for both of them,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “This is the first time that the School of Energy Resources has been represented among the legislative internship pool, and it is a great opportunity for those legal-minded students to be immersed in the process of crafting and introducing bills, negotiating on the floor, and understanding the wider impacts of even the smallest piece of legislation.”

During the session, Reese and Schlagel were assigned tasks and worked with legislators on specific committees relative to their field of study. Specifically, they worked together on a fact-finding project for a house bill and future proposed bills on nuclear supply chain issues, as well as on pore space, and carbon capture and storage regulations. 

“We were able to work with legislators and members of the Legislative Service Office to gain a better understanding of work that takes place during Wyoming’s budget session,” says Reese. “I had an incredible opportunity to work directly with Representative Burkhart on carbon capture as well as nuclear matters. The legislators work hard to pass legislation that is fit for Wyoming, and I am so thankful for the opportunity and the chance to be a part of something this impactful.” 

The students were also able to meet with members of Wyoming’s Federal Delegation and other elected officials including Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Governor Gordon to ask questions about their roles and how energy impacts their policies.

“My experience in the legislature was very informative and educational regarding state government, and it was incredible to see firsthand the importance our government places on energy production,” says Schlagel. “Meeting with all of these parties allowed me to ask them questions about energy and land in Wyoming and hear many different perspectives. One thing that was relatively the same and was interesting to hear, was their belief in energy production in Wyoming and how it will always play a major role in our economy.”

The School of Energy Resources currently offers the fastest educational path to become a lawyer through the 3+3 program by which students majoring in the B.S. ERMD program can also obtain their Juris Doctor from the UW College of Law in six years instead of the traditional seven. To learn more about the ERMD program or the 3+3 program, go to www.uwyo.edu/ser or email seracad@uwyo.edu.

During the session, Reese and Schlagel were assigned tasks and worked with legislators on specific committees relative to their field of study. Specifically, they worked together on a fact-finding project for a house bill and future proposed bills on nuclear supply chain issues, as well as on pore space, and carbon capture and storage regulations. 

“We were able to work with legislators and members of the Legislative Service Office to gain a better understanding of work that takes place during Wyoming’s budget session,” says Reese. “I had an incredible opportunity to work directly with Representative Burkhart on carbon capture research as well as on nuclear matters. The legislators work hard to pass legislation that is fit for Wyoming, and I am so thankful for the opportunity and the chance to be a part of something this impactful.” 

The students were also able to meet with members of Wyoming’s Federal Delegation and other elected officials including Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder and Governor Gordon to ask questions about their roles and how energy impacts their policies.

“My experience in the legislature was very informative and educational regarding state government, and it was incredible to see firsthand the importance our government places on energy production,” says Schlagel. “Meeting with all of these parties allowed me to ask them questions about energy and land in Wyoming and hear many different perspectives. One thing that was relatively the same and was interesting to hear, was their belief in energy production in Wyoming and how it will always play a major role in our economy.”

The School of Energy Resources currently offers the fastest educational path to become a lawyer through the 3+3 program by which students majoring in the B.S. ERMD program can also obtain their Juris Doctor from the UW College of Law in six years instead of the traditional seven. To learn more about the ERMD program or the 3+3 program, go to www.uwyo.edu/ser or email seracad@uwyo.edu.