The Energy Department has recently outlined a list of thousands of its employees it considers “nonessential,” putting more than 8,500 positions at risk amid discussions of possible job cuts. This evaluation comes as part of the broader goals set forth by President Donald Trump, aiming for significant reductions in federal employment.
The positions identified for potential layoffs span across the Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is responsible for the upkeep and modernization of the United States’ nuclear arsenal. While these cuts are being proposed, it remains uncertain how many of the listed roles will actually be eliminated. Federal agencies were asked to submit their assessments by March 13 to find opportunities for consolidation and prepare for possible “large scale reductions.”
When questioned about upcoming job cuts, an Energy Department spokesperson indicated that various plans are under review, but no final decisions have yet been made.
Concerns have been raised by officials like Senator Patty Murray and Representative Marcy Kaptur from Washington and Ohio, respectively, who argue that cuts to the Energy Department could drive up energy costs for households and businesses, hinder innovation, and compromise both national and global security. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong nuclear weapons program and called for a reconsideration of these drastic measures.
Currently, the Energy Department employs about 17,500 people, covering various duties beyond nuclear security, including operating hydroelectric plants, cleaning radioactive waste sites, and maintaining the power grid. Only around 9,000 of these positions are labeled as essential.
Most workers within the National Nuclear Security Administration are categorized as essential; however, about 500 roles within that agency and an additional 8,000 overall at the Energy Department have been flagged as nonessential. Some layoffs have already taken place through voluntary resignations.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has pointed out that the department saw significant growth during the last four years of the Biden administration and is now aiming to streamline its operations. He acknowledged that the past layoffs of nuclear security agency employees were a mistake.
Unlike other federal agencies, the Energy Department’s workforce is largely dispersed across various states, minimizing the direct impact on employment in the capital. Previous job cuts targeting probationary employees were blocked by a federal judge, and the situation remains fluid as the department navigates through these proposed changes.
