American Association of Blacks in Energy

American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE)

Background

The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) was formed in 1977 by Clarke A. Watson in what it described as a โ€œresponse to our nationโ€™s energy crisis.โ€ When the new administration formed a task force to address the 1973 oil embargo, AABE’s founding members found that it neglected to include representation from persons of colour.1โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy Biennial Report 2009/2010โ€ (PDF), AABE. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 2โ€œAbout Us,โ€ The American Association of Blacks in Energy. Archived March 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Xs3NS 3Rufus W. McKinney. โ€œAABE History,โ€ American Association of Blacks in Energy, May 1994. Archived March 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Vwdz7

โ€œThis group of African American professionals formed the American Association of Blacks in Energy to ensure that minorities who had knowledge and understanding of U.S. energy issues could bring their thinking to bear on the development of energy and environmental policy,โ€ The AABE’s 2009/2010 biennial report notes. It adds that the AABE’s mission continues to be ensuring โ€œAfrican Americans and other minorities have a voice in ongoing energy policy debates.โ€4โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy Biennial Report 2009/2010โ€ (PDF), AABE. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

AABE hosts regular events to โ€œeducate people about energy issues and the impact that energy policies has on our communities.โ€ According to AABE, their goal is to offer โ€œpolicy decision makers on national, state, and local levels the information they need to better understand the impacts of energy policy on minority and low income communities.โ€5โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy Biennial Report 2009/2010โ€ (PDF), AABE. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

It does this through building coalitions which โ€œincrease our visibility, recognition, and impact on the public policy process.โ€ AABE’s board members and leadership includes representation from across the energy industry, including executives from companies such as Duke Energy, Chevron, Southern Company, ExxonMobil, Exelon, Ameren, and many others.6โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy Biennial Report 2009/2010โ€ (PDF), AABE. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Stance on Climate Change

2013

While AABE does appear to address climate change as a serious concern, AABE still promotes the development of oil, natural gas, and coal. Below are some points from its โ€œFossil Energy Principlesโ€ document:7โ€œAABE Fossil Energy Principlesโ€ (PDF), The American Association of Blacks in Energy, January 23, 2013 (Document Creation Date). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

โ€œAABE supports a balanced energy portfolio approach for the United States, which includes the development all fossil energy (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal) reserves in a manner which can create jobs and spur economic development especially in historically underserved communities. โ€œ

โ€œClean Coalโ€ is listed among technologies that AABE supports:

โ€œAABE recognizes that there is no silver bullet for addressing environmental issues. A wide array of technologies and policy options must be pursued, including clean coal standards.โ€

It also supports natural gas as a so-called โ€œbridge fuelโ€:

โ€œAABE recognizes the expanded use of natural gas as a potential bridge fuel between todayโ€™s fossil energy demands and future clean technology advances.โ€

2008โ€“2013

A โ€œClimate Change Principlesโ€ (PDF) document from the AABE website says that โ€œAABE supports GHG reduction policies which do not result in net negative impact on jobs, trade balances, and the cost of goods and services over the long term.โ€ A similar version of the document was adopted by the AABE Board of Directors in April of 2013 (.doc).8โ€œAABE Climate Change Principlesโ€ (PDF), American Association of Blacks in Energy. Document created February 11, 2008. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 9โ€œAABE Climate Change Principlesโ€ (.doc), April, 2013. Retrieved from aabe.org. Archived .doc on file at Desmog.

Primary โ€œprinciplesโ€ listed in the document are reproduced below:

  1. โ€œAABE supports mechanisms to achieve cost-effective GHG reductions and recognizes that market mechanisms such as cap & trade, tax, a mixture, or other approaches are currently being discussed.
  2. โ€œAABE supports the inclusion of all sectors of the economy and all sources of GHG in initiatives to reduce GHG emissions.
  3. โ€œAABE supports consistency of GHG regulatory compliance timetables with expected development and deployment of needed technologies.
  4. โ€œAABE supports policies that balance environmental improvements with economic development.
  5. โ€œAABE supports policies that ensure that low- and fixed-income consumers do not shoulder a disproportionate impact as a result of efforts to address GHG emissions.
  6. โ€œAABE supports cost containment measures designed to minimize the impact of the cost of compliance with GHG on low income consumers.
  7. โ€œAABE supports policies that do not result in negative impact on jobs, trade balances, and the cost of goods and services.
  8. โ€œAABE recognizes that there is no silver bullet for addressing the GHG issue. Options that must be pursued include but are not limited to the development, commercialization, and deployment of:
    1. Advanced clean coal technologies,
    2. Carbon capture and storage,
    3. Advanced nuclear energy generation,
    4. Energy efficiency, and
    5. Renewable energy technologies.
  9. โ€œAABE supports fostering public-private partnerships for increasing research, development, and deployment in:
    1. Technologies aimed at reducing GHG emissions,
    2. Hydrogen fuel technology,
    3. Conventional hybrid vehicles,
    4. Plug-in hybrid vehicles,
    5. Vehicle-to-grid technologies, and
    6. Electric vehicles.
    7. AABE recognizes the importance of CAFร‰ standards in achieving higher fuel economy and efficiency in vehicles.
    8. AABE supports the use of alternative fuels and the development of the needed infrastructure to facilitate the transition to new technologies utilizing alternative fuels.โ€

2004

A 2004 report prepared by Redefining Progress for the AABE and Redefining Progress concluded the following:10โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects on African Americansโ€ (PDF), AABE and Redefining Progress. Retrieved from AABE.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

โ€œClimate change disproportionately affects the health, economic and social well-being of African Americans. Changes in the Earth’s atmosphere are occurring due to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Power plants account for 38% of the most prevalent greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, emitted from fossil fuel use in the U.S. Warming of the planet, together with more drought conditions in some regions and flooding in other regions, could induce crop failures, famines, flooding and other environmental, economic and social problems (Miller and Brown, 2000). In some regions, global climate change is also expected to exacerbate existing problems such as ozone formation and air pollution (Hansen, 2000). The potential health impacts of climate change include increased prevalence of infectious disease such as Dengue fever and West Nile virus, more heat-related stress and illness, and higher levels of ozone smog (EPA, 2001; IPCC, 2001). The African American community is particularly vulnerable to these.โ€11โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects on African Americansโ€ (PDF), AABE and Redefining Progress. Retrieved from AABE.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Funding

The following is according to data collected by Conservative Transparency combined with original research of public 990 forms by DeSmog.12โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy,โ€ Conservative Transparency. Archived March 17, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8FNHI

View the attached spreadsheet for details on ABBE funding by year (.xlsx).13โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy,โ€ Conservative Transparency. Archived March 17, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/8FNHI

Donor
YearAmerican Natural Gas AllianceAmerican Petroleum InstituteExxon MobilEdison Electric InstituteGrand Total
2001 $5,000 $5,000
2009 $25,000$25,000
2010 $20,000$10,000$30,000
2011$5,000$10,000$20,000 $35,000
2012 $10,000$40,000$25,000$75,000
2013 $10,000$40,000$10,000$60,000
2014 $10,000 $15,000$25,000
2015 $20,000$20,000$25,000$65,000
2016 $10,000 $30,000$40,000
Grand Total$5,000$70,000$145,000$140,000$360,000

Energy Industry Donors

According to AABE’s 2009/2010 Biennial Report, donors that year included the following corporations, divided by category based on donation size:14โ€œAmerican Association of Blacks in Energy Biennial Report 2009/2010โ€ (PDF), AABE. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Chairman ($100,000+)

President ($50,000 – $99,999)

Donors Benefactors ($10,000 – $24,999)

Patrons ($2,500 – $9,999)

Leaders ($500- $2,499)

  • Andrews Kurth LLC
  • Atlanta Chapter
  • Birmingham Chapter
  • Centerpoint Energy
  • Columbus Chapter
  • EMC2
  • EnerGreen Capital Management, LLC
  • Indiana Chapter
  • Kansas City Chapter
  • Trice Construction
  • Washington Gas
  • Western Region AABE
  • Wipro Technologies

990 Forms

Key People

Leadership

Name20122017
Arnetta McRaeY
Paula R. Glover Y

Board of Directors

Name200120042006200820132014201520162017Company
George Williams YYYYYYYYPMI Energy Solutions
Paul White YYYYYYYNational Renewable Energy Laboratory
Ralph Cleveland YYYYYYYCed Group
Kevin Brookins YYYYYExelon/ComEd
Lisa Cagnolatti YYYYYSouthern California Edison
Lonnie Johnson YYYYYExxonMobil
Michael Suggs YYYYYNorthern Indiana Public Service Company
Richard Thigpen YYYYYPSEG
Rose McKinney-James YYYYYEnergy Works Consulting, LLC& Associates.
Telisa Toliver YYYYChevron Pipeline Company
W. Noble Billingsley YYYYConsumers Energy
Rudolph Wynter, Jr. YYYNational Grid
Kevon Makell YYSEWW Incorporated
Melvin Williams YYNicor Gas
Moanica Caston YYGeorgia Power Company
Wyman Winbush YYIBM
David Wade YAir BP
Dwain Lanier YTennessee Valley Authority
Melody Birmingham-Byrd YDuke Indiana
Milovan Blair YConsolidated Edison of New York
Morry C. Davis YRed Tail Capital Markets, LLC
Vicky Bailey YBHMM Energy Services, LLC
Carolyn L. GreenYYYYYYYY Professional Environmental Engineers, LLC
Hilda Pinnix-RaglandYYYYYYYY Duke Energy
Joyce Hayes-GilesYYYYYYYY DTE Energy (retired)
Stephanie Hickman YYYYY Trice Construction Company
Morry Davis YYYY Peabody Energy Corp.
Sabrina V. Campbell YYYY American Electric Power
Wayonyi J. Kendrick YYYY JEA
David Owens YYYYY Edison Electric Institute
Warner Williams YYYY Gulf of Mexico Business Unit (retired); Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company
Frank Stewart Y YYY F.M. Stewart & Associates
Bentina Chisolm Terry YYY Gulf Power Company
Daniel Packer YYY American Ethane Company
Rudolph Wynter Y National Grid
Polly S. Rosemond YYYY Entergy New Orleans, Inc.
Wilton CedenoYYYY Consolidated Edison Company
Tracie BoutteYYYY New Orleans Entergy
Frank JohnsonYYYY CMS Electric & Gas Co.
Daniel F. PackerYYYY Entergy Services, Inc.
Robert L. Harris YYY Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Marion R. Brackett YYY KeySpan Energy
Rufus Gladney YYY Consumers Energy
Charles Tinker YY DTE Energy
Richard L. Holmes YY Georgia Power Company
Robert Holmes YY Alabama Power Company
Gerald Dawes Y American Gas Association
LaDoris (Dot) Harris Y GE Energy
Sonja Ebron YY blackEnergy
Ulysses Rice YY
Garry Harris Y HTS Enterprise, LLC
George Lyons Y Exelon Corporation
Colin Watson, Sr. Y Foundation Enterprises, LLC
Berlinda Fontenot-JamersonYY Sempra Energy
Erskine E. CadeYY Key Corporation
James K. DavisYY Georgia Power Company
Paul FantYY South Carolina Pipeline Corp.
Barrett HatchesYY Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
Rufus W. McKinneyYY Rufus McKinney & Associates
Herman MorrisYY Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division
Paula Jackson Y
Syl Morgan-Smith Y National Renewable Energy Lab
Hiliary O. Shelton Y National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Rufus D. GladneyY Consumers Energy
Gwendolyn D. PrioleauY Gwendolyn D. Prioleau, Chartered
Leandra H. AbbottY Consolidated Edison Company
Herman S. Dorsey, Jr.Y Consolidated Edison Company
Gilbert F. IveyY The Metropolitan Water District
Bobbie KnightY Alabama Power Company
Bennie F. PaigeY Entergy Mississippi
John R. SmithY Public Service Electric & Gas
Clarke R. WatsonY Watson Associates
H.C. โ€œWillโ€ WilliamsY ONEOK, Inc.

AABE Staff

Name20112014201520162017Description
LaKeesha WilsonYYYYYExecutive Assistant
Pauline St. CyrYYYYYOffice Manager
Tracey Woods YYYYVice President Operations
Felicia Kelly YYYMembership Specialist
Paula R. Glover YYPresident and CEO
D’An Hagan YDirector of Business Develpment
Paula JacksonYYY President and CEO
Marc Morgan YY Vice President of Business Development
Sam Smoots Y Executive Director, AABE Institute
Frank M. StewartY President and CEO

Charter Presidents

Name201520162017ChapterCompany
Andrea Pelt-ThorntonYYYFLORIDANextEra Energy/ Florida Power and Light
Bill DickensYYYPACIFIC NORTHWESTTacoma Power
Cliff DeBerryYYYTENNESSEEMLGW
Conrad ColeYYYGATOR STUDENT CHAPTER
Demetric MercadelYYYLOUISIANAEntergy New Orleans, Inc.
Dr. Isaac CrumblyYYYFORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHAPTERFort Valley State University
Encoch McKieYYYGEORGIA TECH STUDENT CHAPTER
Eric DuncanYYYSAVANNAHGeorgia Power Company
Eric PickettYYYGULF COASTGulf Power Company (FPC), One Energy Place
Fannie Posey-EddyYYYDENVER
Jeffrey HallYYYCENTRAL SW LOUISIANACLECO
Jennefer WhisenhuntYYYBIRMINGHAMSouthern Natural Gas
Jim Vickers, Jr.YYYCINCINNATIBusiness Technical Services
Joe McCormick IVYYYOKLAHOMAONEOK Distribution
Lloyd DugganYYYCONNECTICUTYankee Gas Services Company
Luddy HaydenYYYNORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHAPTER
Perry BishopYYYWISCONSIN We-Energies
Terry L MaloneYYYNORTHEAST OHIONortheast Ohio AABE
Vida HotchkissYYYMID-WEST REGIONNicor Gas/ AGLR
Vyrone CravanasYYYEAST TENNESSEEEqual Opportunity Compliance, AABE East Tennessee Chapter
William SuggsYYYNEW YORK METROPOLITANConsolidated Edison Company of NY
Calvin Ledford Jr. YYNEW JERSEYPSE&G
Carla Walker-Miller YYMICHIGANWalker Miller Energy Services, LLC.
Chris Odom YYHOUSTONSanchez Oil & Gas, AABE Houston Chapter
Crystal Williams-French YYINDIANANiSource
Debbie Lumpkin YYCALIFORNIALumpkin LLC
Jeff Washington YYVIRGINIADominion Resources Services – OJRP
Phyllis Batson YYALAMO REGIONCPS Energy
Richard P. Johnson (Porter) YYSOUTH CAROLINAAABE – South Carolina Chapter
Sheila A. Wright YYARKANSASAABE
Sherri P. Pennington YYPHILADELPHIAPhiladelphia Gas Works
Stacey Barnes YYSOUTH JERSEYSouth Jersey Industries
Thomas H. Graham YYWASHINGTON DC METROPOLITANPepco Holdings, Inc.
Tony Wilkins YYSOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI/SOUTHERN ILLINOISAmeren Illinois
Troy Clark YYSOUTHEAST LOUISIANAGolden Leaf Energy
Valencia A. McClure YYBALTIMOREExelon Corporation
William Johnson YYKANSAS-MISSOURIKansas City Board of Public Utilities
Willie Palmer YYATLANTAAABE
Darnelle Henry YTEXAS SOUTHERN UNV. CHAPTER
Jimmie Coins YMISSISSIPPIAtmos Energy
Leslie Palmore YCOLUMBUSGround Level Solutions
Shirell Harrison Burris YNORTH CAROLINA
Terron Hill, Director YGreater Boston ChapterNational Grid
Angela MontvilleYY COLUMBUSNiSource, Inc.
Jean JacobsYY MISSISSIPPIEntergy Mississippi Inc.
LaQuisha ParksYY NORTH CAROLINAAABE NC Chapter
Eddie MeltonY MID-WEST REGIONNIPSCO
Glenn FreemanY ARKANSASEntergy
Rodney J. RussellY ATLANTAAABE-Atlanta Chapter; Georgia Power
Daniel WallaceY BALTIMOREBithEnergy
David FordY CALIFORNIASouthern California Edison
Terry StringerY HOUSTONAABE Houston
Rita BoydY KANSAS-MISSOURIKansas City Power & Light Co.
Darrell WhiteY MICHIGANDTE Energy
Derek HaleyY NEW JERSEYPSE&G
Peter SinghY PHILADELPHIAPECO
Gerald K. FreemanY SOUTH CAROLINAAABE – South Carolina Chapter; SC Electric & Gas
John RaifordY SOUTH JERSEYSouth Jersey Gas
Brian K. Leonard, Sr.Y SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI/SOUTHERN ILLINOISAmeren Missouri
Drexel HarrisY VIRGINIADominion Resources
Lisa BealY WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITANInterstate Natural Gas Association of America

Regional Directors

Name20072011201520162017ChapterCompany
Nancy Mifflin YYYMID-ATLANTIC REGIONEnegy Sectors, CSC
Amanda Downey YNORTHEAST REGIONNational Grid
Deidre Sanders YWESTERN REGIONPacific Gas and Electric
LaQuisha Parks YSOUTHEAST REGIONDuke Energy
Marie Knox YSOUTHWEST REGION
Vida Hotchkiss YMID-WEST REGIONNicor Gas/ AGLR
Afarah Board YYY WESTERN REGIONSouthern California Edison
Demetric Mercadel YY LOUISIANAEntergy New Orleans, Inc.
Eric Arnold YY SOUTHEAST REGIONGeorgia Power
Eddie Melton YY MID-WEST REGIONNIPSCO
Willilam Suggs YY NORTHEAST REGIONConsolidated Edison
Corlene WilliamsYY SOUTHEAST REGIONSouthern Natural Gas Pipeline Service Co.
W. Noble Billingsley Y Consumers Energy
William Suggs Y NEW YORK METROPOLITANConsolidated Edison Company of NY
Dianne P. Oliver Y MID-ATLANTIC REGIONNational Council of Minorities in Energy
Telisa N. Toliver Y SOUTHWEST REGIONChevron Global Power Company
Sabrina CampbellY MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAEP
Debra SmallwoodY MID-ATLANTIC REGIONConsolidated Edison
Calvin TalleyY MID-WEST REGIONConsumers Energy
Gilda JosephY SOUTHWEST REGIONChevron Texaco Overseas Petroleum
Kirsten WattsY WESTERN REGIONBonneville Power Administration
Rodney O. PowellY NORTHEAST REGIONWestern Massachusetts Electric Co.

Actions

March 21-24, 2017

The AABE 2017 National Conference attracted representatives from across the energy generation industry. AABE Speakers included representatives from Southern Company, Duke Energy, Cehvron, BP, ExxonMobil, and many others. Jack Gerard of the American Petroluem Institute was notably listed among the speakers list.15โ€œAABE 2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE: MAKING ENERGY WORK FOR US: Speakersโ€ Cvent.com. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/I00Xj

One of the most notable sponsors of the conference is a group called Fueling U.S. Forward (FUSF), a group that has consistently worked to promote fossil fuels. The FUSF campaign was first noted in a February, 2016 investigative journalism piece in The Huffington Post that had tracked a $10-million-a-year effort by Koch Industries board member James Mahoney and Charles Drevna โ€œto boost petroleum-based transportation fuels and attack government subsidies for electric vehicles.โ€16Peter Stone. โ€œThe Kochs Are Plotting A Multimillion-Dollar Assault On Electric Vehicles,โ€ The Huffington Post, February 19, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jXPA4

Fueling US Forward was a sponsor of two panels including a panel of โ€œWomen in Powerโ€ and another titled โ€œConversation with the C-Suite.โ€ Other industry groups who sponsored panels at the event include:17โ€œAABE 2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE: MAKING ENERGY WORK FOR US,โ€ CVENT.com. Archived March 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/tZVq3

Below is a sample of attendees at the conference, sorted by energy company affiliation. View the attached spreadsheet for a full list of AABE attendees and Speakers, as of March 17, 2017 (xlsx).18โ€œAABE 2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE: MAKING ENERGY WORK FOR US,โ€ Cvent.com. Accessed March 20, 2017. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

CompanyRepresentatives at Conference (Approximate #)
Exelon75
National Grid27
Dominion27
NiSource19
Duke Energy19
Consolidated Edison18
Chevron17
Pepco Holdings16
Southern Company16
Georgia Power16
Ameren15
Tennessee Valley Authority9
CPS Energy9
Constellation Energy9
PJM8
Consumers Energy7
Entergy7
Public Service Electric & Gas7
BGE6
Pacific Gas & Electric Company6
Bonneville Power Administration6
Burns & McDonnell6
JEA6

Other notable companies represented by attendees at the conference include American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), BP, TransCanada, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

June 2016

The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) reports that The American Association of Blacks in Energy was among a range of groups listed in bankruptcy documents released by Peabody Coal.19โ€œPeabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding,โ€ The Centre for Media and Democracy’s PR Watch, June 13, 2016. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/GWuYV

The documents โ€œdemonstrate for the first time that Peabody Energy has financial ties to a very large proportion of the network of groups promoting disinformation around climate change,โ€ CMD reported.20โ€œPeabody Coal Bankruptcy Reveals Climate Denial Network Funding,โ€ The Centre for Media and Democracy’s PR Watch, June 13, 2016. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/GWuYV

February 26-27, 2015

Partnering with HIE (Hispanics in Energy), AABE hosted the โ€œ2015 Energy Policy Summitโ€ in Washington, DC.21(Press Release). โ€œThe American Association Of Blacks In Energy Convenes National Leaders For A 2-Day Energy Policy Summit In Washington, DC,โ€ The American Association of Blacks in Energy VIA PR Newswire, December 21, 2014. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/52av9

According to the description on the HIE website, the outcome of the summit would be a โ€œpost-summit report to be shared with key legislators, policy officials and the administration.โ€22โ€œAABE 2015 Energy Policy Summit,โ€ Hispanics in Energy, February 2, 2015. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/TOXsb

January 31โ€“February 1, 2013

AABE held a policy summit at the Heritage Center of the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. According to the event description, the summit โ€œfocused on three significant economic factors facing underserved communities โ€” mitigation of rising energy costs, increasing opportunities for minority-owned small business and new jobs creation.23โ€œEnergy Summit,โ€ AABE, Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/c8MRb

View the final report of the AABE’s 2013 summit here (PDF).24โ€œAABE Energy Policy summit: Post Summit Reportโ€ (PDF), American Association of Blacks in Energy, January 31 – Feb 1, 2013. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.

Summit Sponsors, listed in the post-summit report, included the following:

January 28, 2010

AABE held an event, with its partners, titled โ€œEnergy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunities.โ€25โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

According to a report summarizing the comments and discussion at the conference, the summit’s primary subject was โ€œProtecting and creating opportunities for ‘low- and fixed-income communities and people of color’, and advocating on behalf of the interests of vulnerable communities.โ€26โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The conference attracted โ€œ100 of the nationโ€™s leading organizations representing civil rights and nongovernmental organizations (NGOโ€™s)โ€ with attendees including House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn; Carol Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, and Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy; and Chris Miller, Senior Policy Advisor, Energy and the Environment, Office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.27โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Summit organizers were listed as follows:28โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Summit Sponsors listed included:29โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The event led to a draft โ€œStatement of Principles for Energy and Climate Change Policy.โ€ The statement suggested “any energy and climate program must include” the following:30โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

  • โ€œMeasures to reduce and mitigate the impact of costs on low- and fixed-income consumers;
  • โ€œPolicies that create jobs and ensure small business opportunities for minorities in the energy and clean technology sectors, including federal and state incentives and requirements to promote diversity in hiring, procurement, contracting and access to capital.
  • โ€œEducation and training programs to prepare minorities for careers and business ownership in the array of services and technologies necessary to develop and deliver cleaner, more diverse, domestic energy sources.
  • โ€œPublic awareness and outreach initiatives aimed at developing energy efficiency and conservation programs for minority and low- and fixed-income communities, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
  • โ€œResources and incentives for vulnerable communities to help them adapt to climate change impacts and transition to lower-carbon economies, while ensuring environmental justice protections.โ€

February 2004

AABE released a report titled โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects of African Americansโ€ (PDF), prepared by Redefining Progress.31โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects on African Americansโ€ (PDF), AABE and Redefining Progress. Retrieved from AABE.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

According to the report’s executive summary, โ€œ African Americans are significantly more vulnerable than the general population to several factors.โ€ Climate change is among factors listed, as the report says that โ€œAfrican Americans are likely to be more significantly affected by some of the detrimental health effects of global climate change such as the increased incidence of heat-related deaths or possibly some communicable diseases.โ€32โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects on African Americansโ€ (PDF), AABE and Redefining Progress. Retrieved from AABE.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The report lists โ€œ Potential Environmental and Health Effects of the Oil Industry,โ€ listing โ€œGlobal warming and extreme weather events, with associated impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and human healthโ€ as an impact of the โ€œcombustionโ€ stage of fossil fuels.33โ€œEnergy, Economics, and the Environment: Effects on African Americansโ€ (PDF), AABE and Redefining Progress. Retrieved from AABE.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

AABE maintains state chapters across the United States.34โ€œChapter Presidents,โ€ AABE. Archived March 21, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/qPtQa

Prominent board members of AABE represent a range of energy companies. In its 2010 conference, AABE made mention of its partners, โ€œthe Stakeholders,โ€ however did not outline specifically who those stakeholders were.35โ€œReport from the AABE Energy and Climate Change Summit: Implications and Economic Opportunitiesโ€ (PDF), AABE, January 28, 2010. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Contact & Address

As of March, 2017, AABE listed the following contact information on their website:36โ€œContact Form,โ€ The American Association of Blacks in Energy. Archived March 20, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/fkQWV

1625 K St. NW, Ste. 405
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 371-9530
(202) 371-9218
[email protected]

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Western Energy Alliance (WEA) Background The Western Energy Alliance (WEA) represents over 300 member companies โ€œengaged in all aspects of environmentally responsible exploration and product...
American Energy Alliance (AEA) Background The American Energy Alliance is a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit organization founded in May, 2008. It is the advocacy arm of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit...
US Chamber of Commerce Background The U.S. Chamber of Commerce describes itself as โ€œthe worldโ€™s largest business organization representing the interests of more than 3 million businesse...