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February 20, 2006
Congressional delegation: NREL jobs to be restoredThe Associated Press
DENVER (AP) On the eve of President Bush's visit to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, employees laid off earlier this month got news that their jobs will be restored.
Members of Colorado's congressional delegation got word late Sunday that the administration found money to save the jobs at the lab in Golden, one of the nation's prime research facilities for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
An Energy Department spokesperson was not immediately available to comment. An administration official who did not want to be named before a formal announcement confirmed the news.
President Bush plans to visit the lab in Golden on Tuesday.
``They managed to come up with a good plan to restore the funding and right the ship,'' Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Colo., said Monday.
Beauprez, whose district includes the lab in suburban Denver, said David Garman, a U.S. energy undersecretary, told him that money could be transferred to NREL as early as Monday to reinstate the jobs as quickly as possible. He said he was told the money would come from funds that hadn't been appropriated.
The layoffs were announced Feb. 7 after $28 million was diverted from NREL. The money went to various energy-related projects earmarked by members of Congress.
Beauprez said he didn't believe the restoration of the jobs and Bush's visit were linked.
People who lost their jobs earlier this month welcomed the news.
``I'm cautiously optimistic,'' said Carol Tombari, who headed a group that worked with state and local governments on increasing efficiency and using alternate energy sources.
Gary Nakarado worked on regulatory issues before receiving notice that he would be let go. He said Monday that it was ``excellent news'' that funding would be restored and he was hopeful that senior scientists in the administration recognize how important it is to find solutions to the nation's energy issues.
The lab initially faced up to 100 layoffs. The staff tried to save jobs by delaying some equipment purchases, making cuts in travel and subcontracting.
Posted by dymaxion at February 20, 2006 02:19 PM