Energy Department considers more than 40 percent of its staff nonessential as layoffs loom

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.

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 related 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.

The document was first reported on by The Associated Press. 

The Energy Department's portfolio includes both energy technology and innovation as well as nuclear weapons.

The announcement comes as the Trump administration seeks to cut workers more broadly, with as many as tens of thousands of staffers being ousted from the Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs departments. 

However, these ousters — including previous attempts at the Energy Department to fire recent hires — resulted in some staff being let go and later recalled. At the DOE, this included staff who worked in nuclear security and electric power agencies.  

The document viewed by The Hill lists agencies and offices that the Energy Department considers to be essential. This includes the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response; the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Security; the Office of Environmental Management; the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence; the National Nuclear Security Administration; and the Bonneville, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western Area Power administrations. 

The portion of the document viewed by The Hill does not list agencies that are considered nonessential.

Democrats criticized the forthcoming staff cuts. 

“Arbitrary staffing cuts across the Department of Energy would recklessly jeopardize its ability to fulfill its mission to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing our energy, environmental, and nuclear security challenges. Gutting the Department will raise energy costs for American families and businesses, slow innovation, and put our national and global security at risk," reads a joint statement from Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). 

"These dangerous cuts should not transpire," the lawmakers added. "We call for this foolishness to be set aside and for cooler heads to prevail for the sake of our communities, country, and world.”