Posted on March 10, 2014

Minorities in Energy Initiative

Department of Energy, March 10, 2014

The Minorities in Energy Initiative addresses the needs of underrepresented communities in the energy sector and aligns with President Obama’s agenda for engaging more Americans in energy and science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The Minorities in Energy Initiative, guided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, seeks to create a substantive, sustainable model that connects diverse stakeholders together to address challenges and opportunities for minority engagement in energy economic participation, STEM education, and climate change.

ABOUT: The Initiative seeks to empower, equip, and prepare businesses, communities, schools, and individuals to partake in the technical, procurement, engagement, workforce, and energy literacy resources of the Department of Energy and the energy sector overall. The Minorities in Energy Initiative will include an all-of-the-above approach to energy platforms, covering fossil, nuclear, efficiency and renewable energy systems as it pertains to underrepresented communities. This will be a continuous dialogue, with the Energy Department at the helm, between several federal agencies and private partners.

AMBASSADORS: The Ambassadors of the Minorities in Energy Initiative are key leaders in industry, government, academia, and nonprofits who are committed to lending their voices and vision to inform and inspire Americans about the critical need for greater diversity in STEM professions, energy entrepreneurship, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. View the full list of Ambassadors here.

EVENTS: The Department of Energy launched the Initiative on September 24, 2013 during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The event included a dialogue among stakeholders in academia, industry, and government to discuss individual perspectives on STEM education, climate change, and energy economic development. Download the Executive Summary from the September 24, 2013 event here.

On November 13, 2013, the Department of Energy and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council for Environmental Quality, and the White House Office of Public Engagement co-hosted the White House Forum on Minorities in Energy. The event included the announcement of the Ambassadors for the Minorities in Energy Initiative. Download the program booklet here.

On November 19, 2013, Congressman Bobby Rush hosted the Congressional Forum on Minorities in Energy, featuring members of Congress and thought leaders from the public and private sector. Read our blog on the event here.

GET ENGAGED: Contact diversity@hq.doe.gov to get involved in the Minorities in Energy Initiative.