Thursday, April 26, 2012

Initiative Aims to Attract More Women to Clean Energy

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has teamed up with MIT Energy Initiative to create a three-part plan that will attract more women to the clean energy profession and help advance into leadership positions. The plan will help implement the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment initiative or "C3E." The plan was announced at the recent Third Clean Energy Ministerial in London, England. DOE reports the "plan is designed to translate the goals of C3E into concrete, meaningful action in the U.S." Energy Secretary Steven Chu says the plan will help "leverage the skills and experiences of women nationwide to help solve important national and international energy challenges."

DOE reports that the new U.S. C3E plan will include ambassadors who will help recruit and retain qualified women in the field; an awards program that will recognize mid-career professionals who are contributing to the advancement of women in clean energy; and an invitation only symposium to be held in September 2012.