Energy & Environment — NOAA braces for steep job cuts

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  NOAA set to slash jobs 'imminently' Mass firings are set to hit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) "imminently," a source with knowledge told The Hill. © NOAA via Getty Images; Ben Curtis, Associated Press The person, who asked to speak anonymously due to fear of reprisal, said the agency had not yet been subjected to the steep cuts announced elsewhere due to the then-pending confirmation of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.   The Commerce Department oversees NOAA and the National Weather Service. Lutnick was sworn in Friday afternoon.   Many of the federal cuts thus far have targeted probationary workers, which include recent hires but also those who have been recently promoted.   The source told The Hill that an original list of workers set to be fired comprised of new workers, except for veterans and Schedule A employees or noncompetitively appointed disabled workers. However, on Tuesday, the director and deputy director of NOAA were asked to add the excluded workers back to the list, the source added.   Lutnick denied in his confirmation hearing that he would seek to dismantle or privatize NOAA as Commerce secretary. However, Project 2025, the sweeping conservative governance blueprint published by the Heritage Foundation, calls for such a move, and associates of tech billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were reportedly present at NOAA facilities earlier this month.   Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: California wildfire aid will come with 'strings,' says Trump envoy Grenell  The Trump administration will place "strings" on the recovery assistance it gives to California after the state faced deadly wildfires, Trump envoy Richard Grenell said Friday.   Full Story LA mayor removes fire chief amid tensions over deadly wildfires Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) has removed the city's fire chief, Kristin Crowley, amid ongoing tensions over the handling of and response to the region’s deadly January wildfires.   Full Story Staff at multiple agencies instructed not to speak to Congress, says Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) sent several letters Thursday to various federal agency heads seeking answers regarding directives banning employees from speaking to Congress.   Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Climate change is coming for coastlines, from ancient cities to modern California: Study Climate change-induced seawater intrusions are hastening the collapse of buildings in the ancient Egyptian port city of Alexandria — posing threats similar to those challenging coastal California, a new study has found. Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: New Jersey transit woes are hitting riders, NYC economy hard (Bloomberg)   Carbon removal is the next big fossil fuel boom, oil company says (The Verge) Why the U.S. has been home to Earth's most unusually cold air this year (The Washington Post) On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Next week: The House may vote on a budget resolution, as well as efforts to overturn the Biden administration's directions for implementing a fee on excess methane emissions from oil and gas production and a Biden efficiency rule for gas-powered water heaters. Tuesday: The House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the Army Corps of Engineers's Civil Works program. USACE's chief of engineers and commanding general is slated to appear.  The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing titled "Full Blast: Contrasting Momentum in the Space Mining Economy to the Terrestrial Mining Regulatory Morass | Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee" Wednesday: The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on energy and environment spending under the Biden administration The House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on energy reliability The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law The House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the implementation of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio arrested near Capitol Enrique Tarrio, the former national chairman of the Proud Boys, was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police on Friday following a press conference with other Proud Boys members and Oath Keepers' founder Stewart Rhodes. Read more 'We are the federal law': Trump, Maine governor clash over transgender athletes  President Trump and Maine's Democratic Gov. Janet Mills briefly quarreled Friday at a National Governors Association session at the White House after Trump told a meeting of Republican governors he would withhold federal funding from the state over its refusal to comply with an executive order on transgender athletes.  Read more   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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