Energy Trust’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program provides organizations the opportunity and resources to prioritize and meet their energy efficiency goals. Through SEM, organizations evaluate their energy usage by conducting walk throughs with engineers and sustainability professionals to identify unique opportunities for maximizing energy efficiency.  

SEM interns like Meryl Jacob assist their organizations in practicing better energy management habits by monitoring occupant behavior, modifying organizational policies and tracking energy consumption. 

Jacob worked with Oregon’s Washington County, which has more 1,000 employees and 40 buildings. The county began participating in SEM to help lower energy costs at buildings with high energy use by leveraging tools and guidance provided by Energy Trust.  

Jacob’s responsibilities included regular tracking and analysis of building energy usage as well as coordinating multiple projects that would allow the county to maximize its energy efficiency moving forward. 

The internship helped her learn more about energy efficiency standards and practices in the U.S. in comparison to practices in India, where she grew up and started her career in the sanitation and green buildings sector. The SEM internship solidified Jacob’s desire to build a career in energy and sustainability. 

“I was inspired to see how the sustainability team at Washington County was always looking for ways to learn and educate themselves while also encouraging fellow employees through informational posts, activities and trainings,” said Jacob. “I was also excited to see how Energy Trust was always willing to step in and help meet the county’s goals.”