The Equity in Energy initiative is designed to expand the inclusion and participation of individuals in underserved communities, such as minorities, women, veterans, and formerly incarcerated persons, in all the programs of the Department of Energy and in the private energy sector. Equity in Energy is working to secure America's national security and energy dominance through maximizing and engaging all human capital to ensure America's independence for generations to come.
- Abby Hopper, President & CEO, Solar Energy Industry Association
- Andrea Korney, Vice President Sustainability, Frostbyte Consulting
- Anthony Livanios, CEO, US Energy Stream
- Antonio Flores, President, HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities)
- Bill Koetzle, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, American Petroleum Institute
- Bob Gee, President & CEO, Asian Americans in Energy, the Environment and Commerce
- Brian Wolff, Executive Vice President of Policy & External Affairs, Edison Electric Institute
- Emily Dickens, Chief of Staff, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
- Gary "Litefoot" Davis, Executive Director, Native American Financial Services Association
- Gil Quiniones, President & CEO, New York Power Authority
- Janette Marx, Chief Executive Officer, Airswift
- José L. Pérez, President & CEO, Hispanics in Energy
- Julian Cañete, President, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Katie Mehnert, Founder & CEO, Pink Petro
- Michael Treviño, Principal, Trevino & Company
- Michelle L. Holiday, President, Michelle Holiday & Associates
- Dr. Pandwe Gibson, President, EcoTech Visions
- Dr. Rosalyn Artis, President, Benedict College
- Thomas Dortch, Chairman, 100 Black Men of America
- Tony Sanchez, Executive Vice President Business Development and External Relations, Nevada Energy
- Charlie Smith, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
- Cheryl Ingstad, Director, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Office
- Chris Fall, Director, Office of Science
- Conner Prochaska, Chief Commercialization Officer, Office of Technology Transitions
- The Honorable Dan Simmons, Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Kevin Frost, Director, Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
- Nick Anderson, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response
- The Honorable Rita Baranwal, Assistant Secretary, Office of Nuclear Energy
- The Honorable Steven Winberg, Assistant Secretary, Office of Fossil Energy
- Financial Assistance: The Office of Energy Justice and Equity employs federal grants and cooperative agreements to provide financial assistance to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) through the Office of Minority Programs.
- Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP): This program reaches out to minority students across the country at minority serving institutions (MSIs) and other colleges with large minority populations. Interns have participated from across the United States and Puerto Rico. Our goal is to get students excited about and prepared for STEM and energy careers at the DOE, other federal agencies or the private sector. Our hope is that doing exciting work, gaining confidence and making contacts will open up opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds and geographies.
- Micro Innovation Accelerator Program: The Office of Energy Justice and Equity is working to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with highly desired educational institutions at discounted or free rates to supplement opportunities provided by Minority Serving Institutions.
- DOE and Industry STEM Workgroup: Office of Energy Justice and Equity is developing a workgroup comprised of internal and external minority education advocate stakeholders to bring several perspectives to the table that will enable members to identify barriers that can be overcome for minorities to excel.
- Equity in Energy 2020 Webinar Series:
- 30 SEP – DOE and Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities
- 8 OCT - DOE’s Minority Education, Workforce, and Training Program (MEWT) – Review and Opportunities
- 28 OCT – Partnering with DOE National Laboratories (Series 1 of 3)
- DOE’s Small Business Innovation & Technology Transfer Programs
- DOE-MBDA Partnership: The Honorable James Campos, Director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) and David Byrd, National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce established a new agency partnership on July 30th, 2020. This renewed partnership between ED and MBDA improves access to resources for industries and subsectors within the energy sector. Specifically, ED and MBDA will work collaboratively to open doors for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). MBDA and ED will also improve access to training workshops, workforce opportunities, nationwide business centers, advanced manufacturing specialty centers, and other business related opportunities that will benefit these companies. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as signed by Director Campos and Director Byrd is expected to stay in affect for three years from the date of signing.
- DOE-Industry Laboratories Workgroup: The Office of Energy Justice and Equity is developing a workgroup to build a stronger bridge between National Laboratories, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and Minority Business Enterprises.
- Energy Assistance Programs Toolkit: Energy affordability is a critical part of the Equity in Energy initiative. The Energy Affordability Resource map is a resource for homeowners and renters to identify energy affordability programs that can assist them.
- Low-Income Community Energy Solutions: Low-income households face disproportionately higher energy burden. DOE provides several resources that can be used by stakeholders to support program planning and inform existing initiatives.
- Interactive Workforce Development Jobs Toolkit: This interactive map is a connection point for people to jobs in various sectors of the Energy Industry. Careers that support the energy Industry range from STEM and technical fields to transportation and logistics services. The energy industry is one that reaches every person and business around the nation. Find your path to a new career supporting the industry today.
- Women in Energy Program: The Office of Energy Justice and Equity seeks to expand opportunities for women. “The fact is, we have a serious, longstanding shortage of professionals pursuing STEM careers, and if we are to reduce that overall shortage, we absolutely must recruit more women.” Secretary Brouillette. A list of federal, state, and other programs supporting women in various sectors is available to the public.
- Veterans in Energy Program: The Department of Energy tops many civilian Federal agencies in hiring veterans who make up 38 percent of the current DOE workforce, exceeded its goals for veteran hiring and retention for both FY 2017 and FY 2018. What’s more, the sensitive nature and often highly technical mission and workforce needs of the Department translate, at least in part, to the needs of energy related companies across the industry. The Office of Energy Justice and Equity seeks to expand creating opportunities for veterans internally and externally to the Department. Therefore, a list of federal, state, and other programs supporting veterans in various sectors is available to the public.
- Formerly Incarcerated Persons Program: Finding a job is one of the major hurdles formerly incarcerated persons face. The Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) seeks to enhancing opportunities for this disadvantaged group through initiatives and collaborations with other agencies (federal, state, and non-profits). Energy jobs such as CDL drivers, solar technicians, HVAC technicians, welders and automobile repair technicians are in high demand. ED’s initiative builds partnerships with providers, other federal agencies, employers and training organizations. Our discussions include how to create a productive and supportive environment where persons may thrive, prosper and contribute to social, political and economic development of self, family and community. ED’s ultimate goal is to develop and implement a sustainable initiative that strengthens the employment capabilities for formerly incarcerated persons.
Additionally, the initiative’s interest and access goals will be enhanced through:
- Technology & Artificial Intelligence
- Entrepreneurship
- Workforce Readiness for Formerly Incarcerated Persons
- Opportunity Zones
In order to establish and sustain a successful initiative, the DOE’s Office of Energy Justice and Equity facilitates the convening and cultivation of synergies between external stakeholders in underserved communities and the Department’s offices to bring awareness to the current issues, address potential solutions moving forward, and to inform stakeholders of opportunities available.
Recent Activity
VIEW ALL
Felix Vazquez-Guemarez is a graduate from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. He also holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Physics from the University of Puerto Rico.
Learn More
My name is Malazia Cepero and I am an undergraduate student at American University majoring in Public Health and minoring in Psychology. When coming into the MSPDSPP internship program I was looking for more opportunities. I wanted to expand...
Learn More
My participation in the MSPDSPP program allowed me to work for the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity which closely matches future career goals I have for myself. Working in an office that allowed me to work on projects that would create...
Learn More
intern Janei Smiley from Morrow, Ga.
Learn More
Andrea Candelaria from Puerto Rico
Learn More
My name is Amber Foreman and I was born and raised in Dallas Texas.
Learn More
Since 2005, the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) has hosted over 850 interns in the program. MSPDSPP offers talented high school...
Learn More
On August 20th 2020, the Department of Energy’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) launched its trademark Equity in Energy Initiative at...
Learn More
On August 4, 2020 the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) brought together 113 stakeholders, 8 panelists and 2 guest speakers to discuss...
Learn More
The Honorable James Campos and David Byrd executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at DOE Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Learn More