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Energy & Environment

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The Big Story

Energy considers 40 percent of its staff nonessential

The Energy Department (DOE) considers more than 40 percent of its staffers to be nonessential — meaning these people could be on the chopping block — as mass layoffs loom at the agency and across the federal government.

©Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press file

A document viewed by The Hill on Friday states that out of the agency’s current headcount of 15,994 positions — 9,004 are essential, meaning some 7,000 other positions are not.

The approximately 16,000 total positions listed by the agency does include nearly 1,300 people who are currently on leave because they accepted the “Fork in the Road” buyout or because their roles relate to diversity, equity and inclusion, which the administration sought to eliminate from the government.

It’s not immediately clear whether everyone deemed nonessential will be laid off. A spokesperson for the Energy Department said that no final decisions have been made as of Friday evening.

The spokesperson said the department is conducting a “review of its organizational structures to ensure operations are best positioned to accomplish the DOE mission and align with the Trump administration’s priorities.”

“No final decisions have been made and multiple plans are still being considered,” the spokesperson added.

Read more at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Essential Reads

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

Chemical industry asks for blanket exemptions to Biden-era regulations

Two leading chemical industry groups have asked the Trump administration for blanket exemptions to certain Biden-era regulations for all polluters.

Full Story

Senate parliamentarian says lawmakers can’t overturn California car rules — but Republicans may try anyway

The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that lawmakers cannot use the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn California’s electric vehicle mandate — but Republicans may defy the arbiter of the Senate’s rules.

Full Story

Judge finds FEMA withholding grants in violation of court order

A federal judge Friday ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse millions of dollars of grants to Democratic-led states, finding the administration’s withholding of the funds breached his previous ruling.

Full Story

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

FEMA halts grant program that spent billions on disaster protection (E&E News)
The Next American Energy Boom Will Be Geothermal (The Atlantic)

On Our Radar

Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:

Tuesday

The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on conservation-related bills

Wednesday

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on managing Superfund sites.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing titled “Converting Energy into Intelligence: the Future of AI Technology, Human Discovery, and American Global Competitiveness”

Thursday

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on Kathleen Sgamma’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management as well as President Trump’s picks for key energy department roles
A book by The Hill’s Rachel Frazin and Sharon Udasin about “forever chemicals” will be published.

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Here’s what to know about Saturday’s ‘Hands Off!’ anti-Trump protests

Nationwide protests are set to take place Saturday in opposition to the Trump administration and its allies, with leaders vowing to stand up to push back against the “most brazen power grab in modern history.” Read more

Trump approval slips to lowest point in second term: Survey

President Trump’s approval rating slipped to its lowest point during his second White House term amid his handling of the economy and the recent Houthi Signal chat leak, according to a survey published Wednesday. Read more

Opinions in The Hill

Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:

Bill Gates is disengaging from US climate advocacy when it’s needed most

You’re all caught up. See you Monday!

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Energy considers 40 percent of its staff nonessential

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