Nicholas Jansen

About Nicholas Jansen

I believe one of the best ways to find joy and happiness is to build strong communities and that requires bringing people together around ways we are similar, not dividing over ways we are different. That philosophy shapes how I approach what can at times be a fraught process, as communities grapple with how to regulate installation of renewable energy infrastructure in the countryside amongst growing energy demand and increasing severe weather.

Experience

1. Rural Clean Energy Specialist

   Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities

   Feb 2024 — Present · Traverse City, MI, US

   As Groundwork’s Rural Clean Energy Organizer, I work to help rural communities move forward to successfully expand clean energy infrastructure in ways that work well for farmers and other rural landowners while also working for rural communities more broadly. I grew up in rural Michigan surrounded by farms and small towns and carrie an appreciation for and understanding of how culture and landscape are inextricably woven together in rural regions.I will focus on two constituencies that are essential for Michigan to meet its clean energy goals. One focus will be working with three northern Michigan electrical co-ops to advocate for more rapid expansion of renewable energy generating capacity. The second focus will be residents of rural northern Michigan counties where clean energy projects are being proposed. I work to build a base of factual information, counter misinformation, and illustrate benefits, such as farm family financial stability and tax dollars to improve community infrastructure.

Education

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor’s Degree, Environmental Science

  2012 — 2016

Skills

• English
• Teaching
• Strategic Planning
• Photoshop
• Statistics
• Laboratory
• Research
• Editing
• Windows
• Environmental Awareness
• Customer Service
• Environmental Science
• Public Speaking
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Environmental Issues
• Data Analysis