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Message from Director (Acting) and Principal Deputy Director Tamia N. Gordon
November is upon us, yet I am still reveling in the great accomplishments across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which were highlighted at our 3rd annual Justice Week event. DOE's Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) hosted the "Equity in Action” themed event, with much anticipation and excitement.
Over three days, hundreds of engaged attendees gathered from DOE, our labs and sites, other federal agencies, state/local energy partners, DOE awardees (and hopefuls), and many other stakeholders from across the country, both in-person and online. Attendees learned how specific and intentional actions can drive significant change toward a more equitable, clean, and just energy transition. A lineup of experts, activists, researchers, community leaders, educators, and others shared their insights and experiences, including Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome, Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Plus… amidst the build-up to Justice Week, EJE also hosted its second annual DOE to the People symposium, connecting with Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), while also recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Keep reading below for more about all the outstanding events and noteworthy accomplishments, as well as what we have on deck for November. Stay energized!
Director (acting) Principal Deputy Director
Department of Energy, Office of Energy Justice and Equity
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 EJE employees during Justice Week 2024 in the Forrestal Auditorium at DOE Headquarters.
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ODEIA Strategic Planning Division
Justice Week 2024 | Equity in Action
A Discussion on Strategies for Inclusive Leadership
Moderator: Alicia Owen
Panelists: Dr. Colin Ormsby, Genelle Kendrick, Canille Warde, D’Andre Mayberry, and Gayla Thom-as-Dabney
Energy Justice
and Policy Division
 Justice Week 2024 | Equity in Action
Justice40 Programs in Practice
Moderator: Dr. Monika Roy
Panelists: Rose Dady, Holly Carr, Dave Parsons, and Danielle Deane-Ryan
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Minority STEM Pipeline Division
DOE to the People Symposium
An aviation workshop at the Hampton Roads Executive Airport in collaboration with the Forgotten Heroes Foundation and Argonne National Laboratory.
Minority STEM Pipeline Division
Justice Week 2024 | Equity in Action
Future of STEM: Real Community with Real Solutions
Moderators: Christy Jackiewicz and Nabih and Haddad
Panelists: Deidre Roberson, D. Alecia Gabriel, Sheila Dudley, and Mary Braun
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 A mural of artwork submitted by DOE employees, each capturing their personal takes on the theme “Art of the Possible.” The works included paintings, photographs, tapestries, ceramics, and other media. Visitors to the Forrestal building can view the mural outside the auditorium.
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Community of Change Leaders: HBCUs & PBIs
November 14, 12:30PM to 02:00PM EST
This is an informal meet and greet for Historically Black College & University, Predominantly Black College and all Minority Serving Institution stakeholders, focused on developing new connections and sharing current and future opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, as well as identifying support that’s both needed and desired.
Register here.
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 The Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane, Principal Deputy Director Tamia Gordon and hundreds of participants joined Justice Week 2024 in-person and online.
#JUSTICEWEEK2024
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U.S. Department of Energy News
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $27 Million to Catalyze the Clean Energy Workforce as Part of Investing in America Agenda
The Office of State and Community Energy Programs announced its first round of selectees through the Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Grant Program. A program funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), EAT will distribute up to $27.98 million to 15 State Energy Offices and the American Samoa Territorial Energy Office to increase the green building workforce across the country and support the implementation of national energy efficiency improvements sparked by BIL and the Inflation Reduction Act. EAT will ensure that our commercial and residential building energy auditors identify ways to reduce energy usage, promote energy efficiency, and offer energy savings to homes and businesses for our country’s upgrade to a more sustainable future. Read more here.
Biden-Harris Administration Delivers Nearly $474 Million in New Grid Resilience Funding to States and Tribes as Part of Investing in America Agenda
In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, the DOE announced that 49 states, 5 territories, 254 Tribal Nations, and the District of Columbia have received a combined total of $473.6 million in fiscal year 2024 Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants to modernize the electric grid to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events while also ensuring the reliability of the power sector. Read more here.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $1.5 Billion to Bolster the Nation's Electricity Grid and Deliver Affordable Electricity to Meet New Demands
DOE announced two critical actions in its continued efforts to support the expansion of the transmission infrastructure needed to ensure that the nation’s electricity grid is reliable, resilient, and ready to meet customer demands with low-cost clean electricity. First, DOE announced an investment of $1.5 billion in four transmission projects that will improve grid reliability and resilience, relieve costly transmission congestion, and open access to affordable energy to millions of Americans across the country. Read more here.
How to Start a Solar Curriculum in Your School
The demand for skilled solar technicians has never been higher. According to the Solar Futures Study, the least expensive way to achieve an inclusive, equitable transition to a decarbonized electricity system by 2035 is for the solar workforce to grow to between 500,000 and 1,500,000 workers by 2035—a two- to six-fold increase from today. Fortunately, a new solar curriculum for high school students is available for free to help train the next generation of the solar workforce. Read more here.
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