NOAA hit with layoffs

Energy & Environment

The Big Story

Hundreds let go from NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began the process of firing hundreds of probationary workers Thursday, the latest mass job cuts within federal agencies, multiple sources with knowledge of internal operations told The Hill.

The cuts, which are said to affect between 560 and 1,830 workers at the agency, were planned for at least a week, contingent upon the confirmation of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who oversees the agency.

NOAA reported a permanent workforce of 11,758 in fiscal 2023, meaning the cuts could affect more than 10 percent of employees. One source who asked to speak on background told The Hill the firings began Thursday and will continue Friday.

One of the sources told The Hill that termination letters began going out to probationary employees at 3:30 Thursday afternoon. Probationary status applies to both recent hires and workers who have been recently promoted.

Another source said that many highly skilled positions were among those let go and that recent hires were used to fill skill gaps at the agency. In some cases, the fired people had previous federal experience, the person said.

One source said that National Weather Service employees were among those impacted.

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:

White House says EPA will cut 65 percent of spending, not staff

Shortly after President Trump said Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin plans to cut 65 percent of the agency’s staff, the White House clarified and said Trump was referring to agency spending.

Full Story

White House says EPA will cut 65 percent of spending, not staff

Full Story

NOAA begins firing hundreds of staffers

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began the process of firing hundreds of probationary workers Thursday, the latest mass job cuts within federal agencies, multiple sources with knowledge of internal operations told The Hill.

Full Story

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Johnson says approach to IRA repeal will be ‘between a scalpel and a sledgehammer’

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated this week that his approach to repealing the Democrats’ climate, tax, infrastructure and health care bill will be neither delicate and precise nor a total overhaul.

Full Story

What We're Reading

News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

A Couple on a flight boasted of illegal hunting. Wildlife officers were listening. (The New York Times)
Lawmakers ponder ESA in world with Musk, without Chevron (E&E News)
Denmark on track to hit 2030 emissions cuts goal, council says (Reuters)

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Judge orders rescission of OPM memos directing agencies to fire probationary employees

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to rescind memos that directed agencies across the federal government to fire probationary employees, finding they were likely unlawful. Read more

Trump cuts off talk of Canada annex alongside UK’s Starmer: ‘That’s enough’

President Trump on Thursday cut off talk during a press conference with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer about his desire to make Canada “the 51st state,” with Starmer insisting there is no daylight between the two leaders on top issues. Read more

Opinions in The Hill

Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:

‘More drilling’ isn’t the solution Trump is hoping for

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!

Topics

Mass Layoffs Begin at NOAA

The cuts came just before a separate wave of departures was expected under the Trump administration’s so-called deferred resignation program.
The New York Times - 7h
Layoffs hit FAA employees tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps

Terminated probationary employees at the FAA include some who work on the team responsible for producing air traffic navigation maps, sources told ABC News.
ABC News - 6d
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. The person, who asked to speak anonymously due to fear of ...
The Hill - 6d
NOAA braces for steep job cuts

{beacon} 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) ...
The Hill - 6d
NOAA begins firing hundreds of staffers

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began the process of firing hundreds of probationary workers Thursday, the latest mass job cuts within federal agencies, multiple sources ...
The Hill - 9h
Hundreds of NOAA employees laid off

Some 880 employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were laid off on Thursday, a congressional source told CBS News.
CBS News - 7h
Sick of winter? Spring weather predictions released by NOAA

If you're one of the millions of Americans thawing out after a week of Arctic air and deep freezes, spring weather and sunshine can't come soon enough. On Thursday, national forecasters gave us a ...
The Hill - 6d
Maps show NOAA's spring weather outlook across U.S.

Much of the country is forecast to see warmer-than-average temperatures and drought conditions this spring, according to NOAA.
CBS News - 6d
‘Cruel and thoughtless’: Trump fires hundreds at US climate agency Noaa

Employees informed by email that their jobs would be cut off at end of day in move a worker called ‘wrong all around’. Don’t let a billionaire’s algorithm control what you read. Download our free ...
The Guardian - 8h