Golden-based energy research hub hit by Trump Administration’s rollback of renewable energy funds
GOLDEN, Colo. – More than 100 employees at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) were laid off this week following significant federal funding reductions, according to a statement from the lab and reporting by The Colorado Sun.
A total of 114 workers were let go on Monday, May 5, as part of a broader move by the Trump Administration to curb government spending on renewable energy initiatives. The budget, released earlier this year, proposes eliminating over $15 billion allocated for renewable energy projects deemed “unreliable” by the administration.
Strategic Retrenchment
In a statement, NREL expressed gratitude for the contributions made by the terminated staff and acknowledged the challenges presented by the changing political and fiscal environment.
“We appreciate the dedication of our employees and are working diligently to navigate this complex financial and operational landscape,” the lab said.
The layoffs come amid a broader shift in national energy policy, with the federal government redirecting focus toward traditional energy infrastructure and private-sector innovation, signaling a sharp pivot from prior clean-energy commitments.
Tensions Rise in Research Sector
The move has stirred concerns across the scientific community and energy research sector. The cuts are expected to impact dozens of projects in advanced battery storage, solar energy modeling, and grid modernization.
The layoffs also underscore rising uncertainty for federal energy researchers, many of whom now face limited job prospects due to the shrinking number of government-backed innovation programs.
New Direction: Data Centers and Gas
The announcement came just weeks after Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the NREL campus in Golden to promote an upcoming private-sector development: a data center paired with a natural gas-fired power plant. Wright described the project as part of a “realignment” toward resilient, private-led infrastructure solutions.
While supporters of the new direction argue it reflects a more practical use of taxpayer funds, critics fear it signals a retreat from global clean energy leadership.
NREL, founded in 1977, has long been a central hub for innovation in solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies, employing hundreds of researchers and engineers. As of early 2025, it had over 2,700 staff members, though that number is now in flux.
Uncertain Road Ahead
NREL officials have not disclosed whether further layoffs are expected, but employees and contractors at other Department of Energy labs are reportedly bracing for similar reductions as fiscal year budgets tighten.
The Department of Energy has not issued a formal comment on the layoffs.
