Massive federal job cuts threaten key energy and climate programs
A wave of federal agency layoffs expected under President Trump is drawing opposition from energy experts and former officials who warn the cuts will weaken U.S. energy infrastructure and public health protections.
Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Major layoffs at the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and Department of the Interior are expected as part of Trump administration plans, with critics warning they will impair energy and environmental programs.
- Industry leaders and state officials are appealing to agency heads by emphasizing threats to energy security, rather than focusing on climate change, in an effort to align with the administration’s messaging.
- Key targets include the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Loan Program Office, which have backed new nuclear projects, lithium mining, and grid modernization.
Key quote:
“Your persistent assault on career civil servants threatens public health and will make it impossible for EPA to fulfill its mission ‘to protect human health and the environment.”
— U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey
Why this matters:
Gutting the federal workforce that supports energy and environmental programs won’t just slow progress on climate. Much of the technical research, data analysis, and implementation support for public health and environmental safety flows from agencies like the EPA and Department of Energy. Without them, states lack the expertise and resources to assess drinking water for toxic chemicals like PFAS or to manage soil and air contamination at cleanup sites. These cuts also jeopardize efforts to modernize the energy grid and deploy newer technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture, which are often touted as solutions to America’s rising energy demand. The consequences ripple outward: layoffs at federal agencies could mean slower permitting, stalled infrastructure upgrades, and setbacks in addressing pollution.
Learn more: Trump’s workforce cuts threaten climate protection in national parks
