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U.S. clean energy sector must expand hiring beyond white men -report

(Reuters, 9 Sep 2021) More than 60% of workers that hold jobs in clean energy industries like electric vehicles, solar power, and energy efficiency are white, according to the analysis.

U.S. clean energy jobs are overwhelmingly dominated by white men, and efforts to boost industries like renewable energy and electric vehicles should make sure that women and people of color are not overlooked, a report published on Thursday said.

More than 60% of workers that hold jobs in clean energy industries like electric vehicles, solar power, and energy efficiency are white, according to the analysis by consulting firm BW Research Partnership. The study was commissioned by environmental advocacy group E2, the Alliance to Save Energy, the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Black Owners of Solar Services (BOSS) and Energy Efficiency for All.

Representatives from those groups said the report showed clean energy policies being considered as part of infrastructure legislation in Congress must include measures to increase diversity.

"There's a lot of policy being discussed in Washington right now," Nicole Sitaraman, a board member at BOSS, said during a virtual press conference. "This is the time to really make sure that racial equity in the form of funding, investment for enterprises and organizations run by people of color are able to benefit from the policies that will hopefully be passed soon."

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Reuters, 9 Sep 2021: U.S. clean energy sector must expand hiring beyond white men -report