National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden to cut 100-150 jobs through buyouts

National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden to cut 100-150 jobs through buyouts

By Chuck Plunkett
The Denver Post

Posted: 10/04/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 10/04/2011 08:12:58 AM MDT

In both a symbolic and real-world blow to green energy development and the jobs renewable industries are meant to create, the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden announced significant job cuts Monday.

The Golden lab, which saw tremendous investment as part of President Barack Obama's stimulus efforts, said it will use voluntary buyouts to cut 100 to 150 jobs.

Currently, the lab employs about 1,350 people. Its mission is to foster research and development for the U.S. Department of Energy.

NREL spokesman Bob Noun said the jobs were a victim of the gridlocked Congress and that budget forecasts led the lab to look for more than $8 million in savings.

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