Energy Department study finds industry employs veterans at rates above national average
A recent study by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that military veterans make up nine percent of energy industry workers compared to a national average of seven percent across all industries.
The study also found that veterans make up 18.9 percent of corn ethanol fuel production workers, the subsector of the energy industry with the highest percentage of military veteran employees.
The majority of energy sub-sectors employ veterans at levels above the national average, according to the study. Other top spots went to woody biomass fuel, wind electrical generation and motor vehicles.
More than 120 veterans working in the ethanol industry recently sent a letter to President Trump, noting
the importance of the fuel to the nation’s energy security and encouraging the president to “include a prominent role for ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard in your America First Energy Plan.”
Jeff Oestmann, a former U.S. Marine and current President and CEO of East Kansas Agri-Energy was not surprised by the results of the study.
“It’s a good fit for us,” Oestmann said. “After serving our country in uniform, we have chosen to work in the renewable fuels industry because it allows us to continue honoring a commitment to make America stronger and more independent. We take great pride in knowing we work in an industry that improves our nation’s energy security, economic vitality and environmental quality each and every day.”
