1. [MCSPADDEN PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP FUND
PUBLIC POLICY INTERN PROFILE]
Xiaoxi (Dana) Niu '13 graduated top of her class at
Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, New York. At
Dartmouth, Xiaoxi is double majoring in economics and
environmental studies, as a well as minoring in
international studies. Last spring, she studied abroad in
Lyon, France. Outside the classroom, Xiaoxi serves as
Co-Director of Dartmouth Council on Climate Change
and works as a Presidential Scholar in the Economics
Department, studying child labor and education in
developing countries. This year, she is also leading the
Environmental Justice Alternative Spring Break trip to
West Virginia. After graduation, Xiaoxi plans to attend
graduate school and enter the field of health or
environmental policy.
Xiaoxi was funded by The Rockefeller Center for a Spring 2012 Internship, with generous support
from the McSpadden Public Affairs Internship Fund.
Executive Summary from Xiaoxi’s final report:
Environment New Hampshire is a state-based environmental advocacy organization and a
member of the 29-state Environment America federation. Through research reports, news
conferences, and media pieces, the group works to increase public awareness regarding
important environmental and energy issues.
“I enjoyed writing op-eds and letters Environment New Hampshire also works to make the
to the editor because it required me voices of its members heard by elected officials,
to think strategically about how to
through letters, phone calls, petitions, testimonies, and
effectively get my message across. I
the like.
was happy when gubernatorial
candidate Maggie Hassan used one At Environment New Hampshire, I worked primarily to
of my op-ed pieces during a house defend New Hampshire’s cornerstone clean energy
party, to demonstrate the need for
program, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
clean energy.”
(RGGI). Put in place by 10 northeastern states to

2. combat climate change, the program essentially charges power plants for their carbon pollution
and uses the proceeds to invest in energy efficiency and clean energy across the state. For my
project, I researched the economic impacts of RGGI on New Hampshire and compiled
educational materials for state legislators and constituents. I also wrote opinion pieces for local
newspapers, organized a press conference, and reached out to business leaders and legislators
to increase awareness of the issue. I enjoyed writing op-eds and letters to the editor because it
required me to think strategically about how to effectively get my message across. I was happy
when gubernatorial candidate Maggie Hassan used one of my op-ed pieces during a house
party, to demonstrate the need for clean energy. To stay on top of the RGGI repeal bill, I
attended hearings, votes, and meetings with officials. In addition to RGGI, I worked on
Environment New Hampshire’s clean air campaign centered on the EPA’s new mercury and
carbon standards. I wrote letters to the editor, obtained public comments, and worked with
other environmental groups to organize a citizen’s hearing.
I hope to use this knowledge to continue exploring my role in the environmental health
movement as well as non-profit management. I would like to thank the Rockefeller Center and
the McSpadden family for providing the generous grant that made my internship possible. My
experience was incredibly educational and has provided me with valuable insight for
determining my future path.
Xiaoxi at her internship at Environment New Hampshire.
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