Summary
The U.S. Department of Energy instructed its employees to avoid using terms like "climate change" and "green" in their work, according to an email obtained by NPR. However, the Department denies any formal directive to restrict such terms, stating it remains committed to transparency and dialogue on climate science.
Key Facts
- An internal email instructed Energy Department employees to avoid using certain terms, including "climate change."
- The email was specifically sent to staff in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
- This office has a large budget and funds clean energy technology research, including solar and wind.
- The banned terms are crucial in discussions about reducing pollution from fossil fuels.
- The Energy Department publicly denied sending a directive to avoid specific words.
- The move aligns with broader actions by the Trump administration to limit information about climate change.
- Similar actions to limit the use of climate-related terms have occurred since Trump took office.
