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Senators warn DOE staffing cuts and freezes are slowing projects, threatening implementation
Summary
Committee members raised alarms about buyouts, probationary firings and a hiring freeze at DOE that they say have hollowed out offices — notably the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and Bonneville Power Administration — and delayed grants and projects for states and localities.
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers told Energy Secretary Chris Wright they are worried about implementation risks created by voluntary buyouts, probationary firings and a federal hiring freeze at the Department of Energy.
Senator Patty Murray said the department has lost ‘‘over 3,500 DOE employees’’ to a buyout program and ‘‘fired 500 more,’’ and described contract cancellations and staffing reductions as already harming communities. “The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, which manages $20,000,000,000 in grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, lost more than 77% of its staff,” Murray said, adding that it will be “nearly impossible for that office to accomplish its basic…
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