Subcommittee Examines Ways To Create More Energy #Jobs For Minorities

Press Release

The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today examined ways to create more jobs for minorities in the energy sector with a hearing on H.R. 4526, the 21st Century Energy Workforce Development Initiative Act of 2014. This legislation, introduced by subcommittee Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL), Chairman Whitfield, and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), directs the Department of Energy to establish a comprehensive program to improve the education and training for energy-related jobs and to help recruit more minorities for these jobs. Members of the subcommittee heard from a diverse panel of industry and minority leaders that expressed strong support for the legislation and explained the many ways in which the legislation could benefit minority communities and improve the energy workforce.

"The dramatic increase in domestic oil and natural gas production could not have come at a better time for this nation's struggling economy," said Chairman Whitfield. "As a result of America's oil and gas boom, energy is one of the very few sectors of the economy where we have seen substantial job growth in recent years, and these jobs pay very well. In fact, it has been reported that graduates of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology are commanding higher salaries than graduates of Harvard. I am pleased to work with my friend and colleague Ranking Member Bobby Rush on this bill."

"One of my top priorities has been to increase opportunities for minorities with all sectors of the energy industry," said Ranking Member Rush. "We have come a long way in this regard, as evident by the distinguished panel of stakeholders at today's hearing who consistently engaged my office from the beginning on drafting this bill. While there is still much work to do to turn potential into reality, this is the right message to send to the American people showing that we can work together on such a critical issue that can be a win for our communities, a win for the energy industry, and a win for the country as a whole."

The growth in energy production in recent years has created a demand for new energy jobs across the country, throughout the supply chain, and among all demographics. A recent report released by the American Petroleum Institute found that the share of African American and Hispanic employment in the industry is expected to rise from one quarter in 2010 to one third through 2030. Women are expected to fill 185,000 of the projected job opportunities through 2030. H.R. 4526 seeks to help the industry achieve -- and exceed -- these expectations by creating opportunities for education and workforce training.

Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute said, "H.R. 4526 helps bring our nation closer to the day when the tremendous job creation and economic growth brought about by America's vast energy resources are no longer projections, but reality for millions more Americans."

Honorable LaDoris Harris, Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the Department of Energy (DOE) explained that with America's boom in energy abundance there is no greater time to work toward creating good-paying jobs for all Americans. She explained, "The timing for such an initiative could not have been better -- energy is the third largest industry in the U.S., and it is growing rapidly. Our country is undergoing an energy revolution spurred by new technology in fossil fuel recovery, renewable energy generation and changing use patterns."

Harry C. Alford, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce noted that oil and gas industries have outpaced all other industries in the private sector, and said, "Without a doubt, minorities should be competing for and landing these jobs. … One of the most significant ways that we as a minority community can take advantage of the employment boom in energy sectors is to support local development of energy-related projects and development within our local communities."

Paula R. Jackson, President and CEO of the American Association of Blacks in Energy emphasized the importance of energy-related jobs for underrepresented regions across the country by stating, "While the opportunities in the industry continue to increase, the demographics of our country are changing making it important that minorities are increasingly a part of the pipeline. … This combination of an aging workforce and tremendous growth in the energy sector coupled with a changing demographic in this country presents tremendous opportunities for underrepresented minorities in this country."

Chairman Whitfield concluded, "While we pursue policies that expand the energy jobs pool, we also need to take steps to help minorities and women fill more of these positions. … Simply put, more American energy production equals more American jobs."

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