Black History Month recognizes, celebrates, and reflects on the contributions and impacts that African Americans have made to strengthen the nation’s economic and social infrastructure. Entrepreneurial thinking and an innovative spirit from diverse backgrounds are critical to addressing the challenges that affect communities across the country and ensuring the solutions deployed are fully inclusive.  

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) is committed to advancing energy security and economic growth through the development of careers and education resources and by offering training opportunities to meet the needs of a growing bioenergy workforce. As we celebrate Black History Month, BETO is spotlighting partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) that are developing innovative and transformational clean energy technologies, creating well-paying jobs, and supporting communities across the nation.  

President Biden recently signed a second Executive Order on advancing racial equity and supporting underrepresented communities by improving opportunities in rural and urban communities. The first Executive Order boosted investments in underserved communities through increased funding to HBCUs and indigenous tribes and created new programs to help close racial disparities in job and housing opportunities. In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s priorities, BETO continues to invest in initiatives aimed at increasing STEM inclusion, expanding research opportunities, and supporting a knowledgeable, well-trained, and diverse workforce which is essential for meeting future energy demands.  

Learn more about several BETO-funded projects that are making an impact toward a more sustainable, equitable, and economically sound future.

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BETO supports research, development, and demonstration to enable the sustainable use of domestic biomass and waste resources for the production of biofuels and bioproducts. BETO is part of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

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