Racial disparities persist in oil and gas job opportunities

Research conducted by Tulane University reveals that in Louisiana's majority Black communities, such as "Cancer Alley," and minority-dominant communities along Texas' Gulf Coast, the majority of jobs in the oil and gas industry go to white workers. Disparities in employment are particularly pronounced in St. John the Baptist Parish, where people of color make up nearly 70% of the working-age population but only 28% of the manufacturing workforce. Similar disparities exist in other parishes in Louisiana and counties in Texas. The findings highlight the failure of the industry to provide promised job opportunities to communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, and raise concerns about racial disparities in hiring practices.