Key Points
- The Trump administration renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to the “National Laboratory of the Rockies.”
- The change became effective on December 1 and impacts the facility in Golden, Colorado.
- Lab Director Jud Virden stated the change reflects a goal of “affordable and secure” energy rather than just renewables.
- Senator Michael Bennet criticized the move as political, contrasting it with the need for low-carbon innovation.
The Trump administration has officially renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, stripping the word “Renewable” from its title. As of December 1, the facility in Golden, Colorado, is now known as the “National Laboratory of the Rockies.” This change marks the latest effort by the White House to shift the federal government’s focus away from specific “clean energy” branding.
For decades, this laboratory served as a primary hub for green technology research. It is one of 17 national labs the Department of Energy manages. Scientists there led the way in improving solar cell efficiency and developing better wind energy systems.
By changing the name, the administration is signaling a clear move away from the green agenda that defined the previous political era.
Jud Virden, the laboratory director, tried to frame the rebranding as a positive expansion. He said the new name embraces a “broader applied energy mission.” According to Virden, the lab will continue to deliver scientific impact. Still, the goal is now defined more loosely as creating a secure and affordable energy future, rather than strictly a renewable one.
The move aligns with the administration’s frequent attacks on wind and solar power. President Trump has actively worked to reshape the U.S. energy landscape, often favoring traditional fuel sources over green alternatives.
Democrats immediately criticized the decision. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet vowed to protect the facility’s original mission despite the new label. He argued that the President’s “Drill Baby Drill” approach fails to address complex energy challenges. Bennet insists that while the sign on the building may change, the groundbreaking work on low-carbon energy must continue.
