HOUSTON (Reuters) - U.S. activist Rev. Jesse Jackson on Tuesday said his organization will target top energy companies like Exxon Mobil Corp. and ConocoPhillips in a push to create more jobs for women and minorities in the industry.
Jackson said members of his Rainbow PUSH Coalition plan to buy stock in 20 of the world's largest energy companies. As investors, the group will seek change by attending annual meetings, calling for talks with the companies' chief executives and pressing for fairness hearings at the state level.
"We intend to inject ourselves into the struggle for fair access to energy," Jackson told a news conference. "Historically, we've not had that access."
Minorities have been underrepresented in all parts of the energy sector in the United States and are largely relegated to the role of consumer, Jackson said.
He did not offer statistics but described minority representation in the industry as "very low."
As part of its efforts, Rainbow PUSH will examine the racial make-up of a company's board of directors, its suppliers, its consultants, its contractors and its outside legal firms, Jackson said.
Representatives for Exxon and ConocoPhillips did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
On Monday, Jackson said he met with John Hofmeister, president of Royal Dutch Shell Plc's Shell Oil Co. U.S. unit, and described the meeting as very good.
Jackson's comments on diversity come as the energy industry is gathered in Houston for the 65,000-person Offshore Technology Conference
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070501/us_nm/energy_diversity_dc;_ylt=Ak2ozGcran9fTO.z0pQKDqgPLBIF
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