Education & Research
Over the past 50 years, the United States has led the world in science, engineering and technology, particularly in the field of energy. Current trends show a weakening in U.S. energy, petroleum, mining and mineral engineering education and research, putting the future of our energy workforce at risk.
Consumer Impacts & Policy Solutions
There are only 30 energy education programs in the country today — down from almost 60 in 1983. The United States has seen a 90 percent drop in the number of petroleum engineering and geosciences graduates since 1982. Almost half of our mining and petroleum faculty are age 50 or older, while only 12.5 percent are under 35. A decline in graduates and the aging of the faculty could result in a serious shortage of teaching and research staff, as well as a lack of new talent to replace the active engineers and geologists who plan to retire in the next 10 years.
The potential loss of institutional knowledge and a lack of qualified students, faculty and energy professionals hinders our ability to develop new energy resources and technologies and to maintain the human capital necessary for economic, energy and mineral security. With the demand for energy on the rise, it is vital that we act to rebuild the nation’s educational and research infrastructure.
A lack of qualified engineering professionals hinders our ability to develop new energy resources and technologies, and with the demand for crude oil on the rise, it is vital that we act to improve our nation’s engineering workforce crisis. In an effort to boost our energy workforce and solve this growing problem, CEA supports the passage of bipartisan legislation that would help meet America’s future energy challenge through a vibrant and well-educated workforce. This workforce legislation – the Strengthening America’s Science and Technology Education Act (SASTEA) – aims to establish greater domestic security by supporting and improving our nation’s energy workforce. As proposed, SASTEA would directly support programs to train professional engineers, tradesmen, mechanics, energy development and other workforce. SASTEA would encourage mining and energy development projects and assist the academic institutions that educate and train our future engineering professionals.
In order to secure the future of the U.S. economy, interested stakeholders, including groups from the consumer, energy, agricultural, manufacturing and business sectors, must act to improve our energy workforce. The American economy has already felt the impact of high energy prices, as business energy costs increased 51 percent from 2000 to 2005, and companies such as American Airlines are paying billions of dollars more for fuel each year. A dwindling workforce will only increase energy prices and put the future of America’s economy in jeopardy, making it urgent that we support legislation such as SASTEA that encourages the development of a qualified, well-educated workforce.
General Information
To view the legislation and take action, please click on the links below.
For more information, visit CEA Affiliate American Association of Petroleum Geologists.