The Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) threatens to significantly curtail funding for critical national research laboratories in the Western United States, potentially halving their operational budgets and leading to substantial job losses. This move, currently under negotiation in Congress for the fiscal year beginning in October, targets institutions central to advancing clean energy, improving energy efficiency, and conducting vital climate research, raising concerns about the nation's scientific competitiveness and economic stability in affected regions.

Specifically, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, face severe reductions. NREL stands to lose approximately $387 million, more than half its current budget, while PNNL could see a reduction of about $280 million, roughly a third of its funding. These cuts are primarily concentrated within the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Biological and Environmental Research program, which are slated for 74% and 14% reductions, respectively, totaling a $2.5 billion cut from EERE alone.

Industry experts and political figures have voiced strong opposition. Andrea McMakin, a 34-year veteran and former communications specialist at PNNL, now part of the Friends of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, warned that such cuts could lead to the departure of up to 1,000 scientists and engineers from PNNL, a figure echoed by state leaders and a Politico report for NREL. McMakin emphasized the risk of losing top U.S. scientific talent to international competitors actively recruiting American researchers, jeopardizing the nation's energy competitiveness and intellectual capital.

Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have condemned the proposed budget, with Senator Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, labeling it a “devastating blow” to PNNL and vowing to fight the cuts. Senator Wyden highlighted the adverse impact on growing clean energy industries in Oregon, particularly wind and solar, which rely on the research and development fostered by these labs. Both senators indicated that the proposed budget is unlikely to pass Congress in its current form, recalling similar attempts during Trump's first term that Congress ultimately rejected.

These national laboratories are instrumental in developing advanced battery technologies, enhancing grid resilience for increased wind and solar integration, and analyzing atmospheric data to assess extreme weather risks. Their work aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy affordability for consumers and businesses, and drive innovation in sustainable technologies. The proposed budget cuts threaten to undermine these critical efforts, potentially slowing the transition to a cleaner energy economy and impacting regional economies where these labs are major employers, such as Washington's Tri-Cities area, where PNNL is the largest employer with over 5,000 staff.