Graphic image of business person running for an exit door.

Mass exodus of senior staff reshapes federal energy and environmental agencies under Trump

Federal buyouts and retirements are depleting U.S. agencies of experienced staff in energy, environment, and public health, raising concerns about long-term policy capacity.

Hannah Northey, Heather Richards, and Sean Reilly report for E&E News.

In short:

Thousands of employees across the U.S. Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture are retiring early or accepting buyouts as part of the Trump administration’s push to reduce federal workforce size.
Staff losses include senior leaders and technical experts critical to energy grid security, environmental regulation, public health, and wildlife management, with many key positions now filled on an acting basis or left vacant.
Remaining employees warn that diminished institutional knowledge will undermine the government’s ability to implement complex policy initiatives, including Trump’s own energy and permitting agendas.

Key quote:

“You can’t understate the expertise and institutional knowledge we’re losing.”

— Career staffer, Department of Energy

Why this matters:

The departure of thousands of seasoned federal employees from agencies overseeing energy, environment, and public health could have wide-ranging effects on national policy and public safety. Federal staff reductions often mean that critical institutional knowledge walks out the door, leaving behind gaps that can’t easily be filled. In agencies like the EPA and DOE, this knowledge is essential for managing complex tasks such as protecting water and air quality, overseeing hazardous waste, and supporting the transition to renewable energy. The loss also affects wildfire mitigation, national park operations, and endangered species protection. Without experienced personnel, new regulatory actions risk delays, legal challenges, and errors that could have lasting environmental and health consequences. Moreover, the exodus hampers the recruitment and mentoring of younger professionals, potentially stalling future innovation and leadership.

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California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

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