US senators are demanding answers from the Trump administration over what they say are damaging consequences for energy infrastructure and housing after deep and sudden staffing cuts at government departments and agencies by Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, wrote to the president on Friday, 14 February protesting his administration’s 20% job cuts at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a regional power marketing agency under the Department of Energy, headquartered in Portland.
The BPA distributes hydropower from 31 federal dams through more than 75% of the region’s transmission infrastructure.
They said the 600 layoffs at BPA – including linemen, engineers, and power dispatchers – will undermine the dependability of the electricity grid for Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest, affecting millions of families and businesses.
“We do not believe there is an energy emergency, but your actions certainly appear to be creating one through these cuts that actively jeopardize the stability of our energy infrastructure, right now,” they wrote.
They said around 400 probationary employees would be laid off, while incentives to leave had seen around 200 employees resign. A further 90 new job offers were rescinded, they said.
They said BPA employees had warned the actions would make it nearly impossible to strengthen and expand the grid as needed, forcing BPA into “damage control” mode, struggling just to “keep the lights on”.
“These cuts are not only reckless but also financially ludicrous,” the letter said. “BPA is an entirely self-funded agency that does not rely on taxpayer dollars, meaning these workforce reductions do absolutely nothing to reduce the federal deficit. If the administration’s goal is truly to ensure reliable, secure, and affordable energy, then why are you actively dismantling the most effective and self-sustaining power system in the country?”
Housing
Separately, a group of Democratic senators led by Washington State senator Patty Murray wrote to Housing Secretary Scott Turner on Sunday expressing alarm at reports of 50% job cuts – 4,300 staff – at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“Freezing already obligated funds, cancelling necessary program contracts, and hastily gutting HUD’s workforce will inevitably lead to costly delays, and many housing projects will fall apart completely, only making our current housing crisis worse,” they wrote.
They said HUD supports vulnerable people including seniors, homeless veterans and families, and people with disabilities, and that it provide billions of dollars to cities and counties across the country.
“Without sufficient staff to run these programs, community and economic development projects, disaster recovery efforts, and housing development across the country will be delayed and could come to a grinding halt,” their letter said.
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