Trump funding cuts force layoffs at US renewable energy research lab

(Reuters) -The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a research division of the U.S. Department of Energy that focuses on energy sources like wind and solar, said on Tuesday that it laid off 114 employees due to federal budget cuts, stop work orders and new directives.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

The staff reduction at NREL, based in Golden, Colorado, reflects the broader trend of workforce cuts across the Department of Energy under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The staff reduction represents about 3% of NREL’s workforce of 3,675, according to the lab’s web site.

KEY QUOTE

“NREL’s mission continues to be critical to achieve an affordable and secure energy future. We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of our staff as we continue to advance the laboratory’s work,” the lab said in a statement.

CONTEXT

The layoffs come amidst a wider downsizing of the federal government under Trump. NREL is overseen by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. A White House budget proposal last week seeks to cut $2.6 billion in funding from EERE, in line with Trump’s goal to boost fossil fuels and eschew clean energy technologies that experts say are needed to combat climate change.

NREL is one of 17 national labs that sit under DOE. Most are managed by third-party contractors. NREL is managed by Battelle and MRIGlobal.

(Reporting by Nichola Groom; editing by Edward Tobin)