by Adam Zewe

Even though progress has been made over the past decades, gender and racial disparities in STEM (science, technology, math, and engineering) fields continue to persist.

A 2021 Pew Research study found that only 9 percent and 8 percent of STEM jobs are held by Black and Hispanic workers, respectively. And while the study found that women hold 50 percent of all STEM jobs (including health-related jobs), the percentages are far lower for jobs in physical sciences (40 percent), computing (25 percent), and engineering (15 percent).

Could machine learning help researchers better understand the factors that contribute to … Read More >>

by Stacy M. Brown

America’s natural gas and oil industry will need to serve as a vital driver of the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery, according to a new study.

The industry counts as critical to every sector of the U.S. economy and supports millions of jobs across all 50 states, says a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers that compiles the latest available government data.

The 134-page study, which explores the economic impact of the oil and natural gas industry, found that the business supported 11.3 million jobs and contributed nearly $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2019.

The study authors … Read More >>

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today hosted a roundtable, “Investing in America’s Energy Sector: An Opportunity to Recover and Build Back Better” to share the findings of the 2021 U.S. Energy Employment Report (USEER). The study began in 2016 to better track and understand employment within key energy sectors. Today’s release marks the return of the report management to the agency, after being produced externally since 2017. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy sector had been one of the country’s fastest growing job markets. From 2015 to 2019, the annual growth rate for energy employment in the United States was 3%—double compared to 1.5% in the general economy. In 2020, following wide-spread economic losses due to the pandemic, USEER analysis … Read More >>

by Edd Pritchard

The oil and natural gas industry plays a key role in the national economy, supporting more than 11.3 million jobs around the country, including 375,000 in Ohio, a new study says.

Nationwide, the industry accounts for 5.6% of total U.S. employment and 5.3% of the Ohio’s employment, according to the 134-page study commissioned by the Washington, D.C.-based American Petroleum Institute. It produced $892.7 billion in labor income, including $24.7 billion in Ohio.

The study, released Tuesday, examined 2019 data.

Economic impact: An American Petroleum Institute study details the oil industry’s effect on the economy.

The industry has generated an … Read More >>

by Joseph Sanchez

Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde is a former Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, where he served as vice-chairman of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. He is currently the chairman of Sustainable New Mexico.

Last month, a group of 24 New Mexico Democrats sent a letter to President Biden supporting the administration’s moratorium on federal oil and gas leases.

While my former colleagues are correct that we have a responsibility to combat climate change, they conveniently fail to acknowledge the devasting impact banning oil and gas operations on federal lands and waters will have … Read More >>

by Torrance Stephens

Prior to this year, the United States was energy-dependent in 2019 for the first time since 1957. It marked the first time in 62 years that U.S. energy production was higher than its consumption. Many factors contributed to this, mainly the energy sector oil and natural gas industry use of techniques like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. During this period, several major Black-owned oil and natural gas firms benefited economically from the increase in U.S. energy production.

Although few, there are several well-established and successful Black-owned energy companies. Some of the best known include ACE Petroleum, located … Read More >>

by Sarah Wood

Focused on retaining more women and women of color in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the National Science Foundation awarded $1 million to the State University of New York at Albany (UAlbany).

The three-year grant will fund the Striving to Achieve Gender Equity in STEM (SAGES) project to offer increased campus support, departmental mentorship opportunities for women faculty, ally training and the implementation of unbiased recruitment and hiring strategies, the university reported.

“Diversifying our faculty—particularly in the STEM fields—is a key component of UAlbany’s core priority of diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, … Read More >>

Duke Energy is investing $734,000 in strategic workforce development and education programs in Florida.

The Duke Energy Foundation grants will help job seekers and students who are members of underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities, to prepare for employment, primarily in the energy sector. This support will further bolster and expand the state’s existing skilled workforce.

“These grants support vital programs and help develop a diverse workforce needed to strengthen our communities and economies today and in the future.” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.

One of this year’s recipients is the University of Florida and its Department of … Read More >>