PEAKS Renewables (PEAKS) is a non-utility affiliate of Summit Utilities, Inc. dedicated to pursuing decarbonization opportunities that intersect with thermal energy. PEAKS is focused on opportunities around Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Clean Hydrogen. The company successfully developed and constructed the Clinton Digester project, which collects manure from 6 dairy farms in Maine to produce RNG. In addition, PEAKS has received a $5M grant from the Department of Energy to pilot a biomethanation technology at the Clinton Digester that will transform waste CO2 and clean Hydrogen into pipeline quality methane. The PEAKS team is focused on a pipeline of projects across the country and is seeking creative and energetic team members to help us spearhead new solutions to decarbonize the energy industry.

We have an exciting opportunity open for 2 Renewable Project Developers with the ability to work remotely from any of the following states: ME, AR, OK, TX, FL, SC, MO, TN, LA, or KS. 

POSITION SUMMARY

PEAKS is focused on business opportunities at the intersection of decarbonization and natural gas, including RNG, Biogas, Renewable Hydrogen, and Power-to-Gas Opportunities. PEAKS is a subsidiary of Summit Utilities, a privately owned utility holding platform that currently operates gas distribution companies in five states. PEAKS is actively developing several RNG and Hydrogen projects both within Summit’s utility territories and beyond and is seeking 2 Renewable Project Developers to help lead these opportunities from conception to reality. 

Renewable Project Developers will report to the Director of Renewable Project Development, and work alongside a small team providing engineering, finance, and legal support to build and execute on a pipeline of new investments in RNG and Hydrogen. They will play a pivotal role in the team’s effort to identify, design, and build RNG and Hydrogen projects, champion these investment opportunities to internal leadership and with external stakeholders, and collaborate with host facilities, contractors, consultants, and community stakeholders to develop a successful pipeline of projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop projects, prioritize work, and ensure continual progress on pipeline of projects toward company’s growth objectives. Manage all aspects of a project’s development, including permitting, design, revenue/offtake, feedstock, interconnection, and project economics.
• Work to originate greenfield and acquisition opportunities and to bring more project opportunities into the Peaks development pipeline.
• Lead outreach to feedstock owners such as farmers, landfill operators, electric utilities, renewable project owners, and landowners. Collaborate with them on long-term supply agreements and ensure project operations match their needs for the future. 
• Develop and manage project development workplan and coordinate across internal and external stakeholders to ensure that progress is being made along the internal timeline.
• Manage internal process to respond to municipal requestions for renewable energy project development.
• Oversee the project valuation exercise and support the finance team in providing values for key inputs to a project model and continue to refine those inputs through development of the project, working to ensure a project that meets economic and schedule hurdles.
• Oversee commercial negotiations and structuring of key contracts for project including feedstock supply, gas offtake agreements, and project construction agreements.
• Guide project through internal approval process by preparing presentations and investment memos and representing projects in management and approval meetings.
• Support the regulatory efforts required to allow the company to develop, build, own and operate the facilities, including with utility commissions and local, state, and federal permitting agencies.
• Work with additional consultants as needed to understand green attribute markets, offtake opportunities, and qualification requirements.
• Represent Peaks and Summit Utilities to various external counterparties at meetings, conferences, and other external engagements.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• B.A. in Business Administration or B.S in Engineering or similar
• Minimum 3 years’ equivalent project development experience 
• Experience structuring and negotiating commercial contracts
• Ability to travel to project locations across U.S. (approximately 25% - 50% of time depending on project stage and needs)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Ability to quickly grasp the nuances of the renewable energy industry to properly represent PEAKS. Familiarity with carbon accounting, LCFS/RFS programs renewable gas standards and renewable gas voluntary attributes is a plus
• Excellent ability to work through problems and build support for a project with a myriad of different stakeholders
• Ability to manage project development, keeping multiple workstreams moving in parallel, and direct vendors and other teammates to complete projects in a timely and effective manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact, and professionalism in dealing with staff and external agencies
• Efficient in the Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook. Experience with Smartsheets is a plus.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home. 

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.