February 10, 2026 11:27 AM UTC

Trump Administration Slashes 7% of NREL Workforce

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Trump administration has eliminated another big chunk of the workforce at the former National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden.

As Michael Booth reports for The Colorado Sun:

The Golden renewable energy lab formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory laid off an additional 134 employees across both research and operations Monday, further shrinking the renowned center under changing Trump administration priorities.

The big losses followed the slashing of 114 staff and contracting positions at the renamed National Laboratory of the Rockies in May. Employees, conservation groups and Colorado’s Congressional delegation have condemned the severe cuts to the renewables lab as a misguided American retreat on technology that could be key to the nation’s economic future and slowing global climate change.

“Today, the National Laboratory of the Rockies implemented workforce actions affecting 134 employees across the laboratory, including roles in both research and operations. These actions were taken to adjust to existing and projected funding levels and alignment with (Department of Energy) priorities,” spokesperson David Glickson said in an emailed statement. “We recognize the meaningful contributions of those impacted and the role they have played in advancing the laboratory’s work.”…

…The successive rounds of layoffs have hit hard at what used to be a total of 3,675 employees listed on the NREL website at the beginning of 2025. President Trump’s fiscal 2026 budget pitched $19.3 billion in cuts to the Department of Energy’s allotted 2025 spending, according to the website utilitydive.com.

As part of the Trump administration’s commitment to right-wing wokeism, the Department of Energy (DOE) — helmed by former Colorado oil and gas executive Chris Wright — announced in December that NREL was being renamed to the “National Laboratory for the Rockies.” After getting rid of the word “renewable,” Wright appears to be intent on eliminating the work around renewable energy.

John Aguilar of The Denver Post has more on the reaction to these latest cuts [all emphasis is ours]:

U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, whose district in Congress includes Golden, ripped into the Trump administration for its decision to cut more staff at the national lab.

“Donald Trump has consistently put our federal workforce on the chopping block,” the two-term Democrat said in a text message Monday evening. “These are people who work to make energy more affordable, conduct groundbreaking climate research, and keep our state up and running.”…

…The state’s Democratic U.S. senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, also weighed in on the decision.

Bennet said the lab “has been leading the world on energy innovation for decades,” staffed by professionals who are “committed to upholding scientific integrity and the highest standards of excellence regardless of who is in office.”

“I am disappointed to see this announcement, and will continue fighting to ensure the lab retains its core capabilities and unrivaled expertise,” he said.

Hickenlooper said the Trump administration is “driving away some of the smartest and most innovative people in the country.”

“The cost of this reckless assault on science and innovation could not be higher,” he said. “Americans just need to look at their electricity bill.”

No Colorado Republicans appear to have commented on the latest cuts to the organization formerly known as NREL. That includes Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Ft. Lupton), who regularly pretends to support Colorado’s robust renewable energy industry but in practice does absolutely nothing to back up his words.