Energy Dept. adds “climate change” and “emissions” to words-to-avoid list

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) circulated an internal email telling staff to avoid using certain terms. The list includes “climate change,” “green,” “decarbonization,” and “emissions.” The guidance applies to public and internal materials, including funding notices, reports, and briefings. 

A DOE spokesperson said the department hasn’t formally banned those words and will look into the email’s status. That leaves staff with mixed signals while they prepare program documents. 

What the email said

The email, attributed to acting external affairs official Rachel Overbey, asked managers to make sure their teams avoid language that’s “misaligned with the Administration’s priorities.” The request covers internal write-ups and public-facing items. 

Key terms mentioned

• “Climate change”
• “Green”
• “Decarbonization”
• “Emissions”
• “Energy transition”
• “Sustainability / Sustainable”
• “Clean” or “dirty” energy
• “Carbon / CO2 footprint”
• “Tax breaks / tax credits / subsidies”

Why this matters

EERE leads federal work on energy efficiency and clean energy research. Its projects often target lower greenhouse gas emissions, support innovation, and help industry bring new technology to market. Avoiding these widely used terms could change how funding calls and reports are written. It could also make goals less clear to applicants, labs, and partners. 

How officials responded

DOE spokesperson Ben Dietderich said the department hasn’t prohibited these terms and would review the email if it’s being treated as official guidance. The message, however, told teams to use the “latest list of words to avoid,” which suggests an active policy inside EERE. 

National outlets reported the clash between the email and the public statement. Reporters also placed the guidance in a broader pattern: senior leaders have toned down or questioned mainstream climate language while cutting or freezing certain supports. 

Political backdrop

The guidance came as President Donald Trump criticized efforts to curb rising emissions in recent speeches and comments. Coverage notes that the current leadership’s stance questions links between emissions and extreme weather and that it has reduced some renewable incentives. 

News reports also state that Energy Secretary Chris Wright canceled around $13 billion in renewable funding and criticized long-running wind and solar supports. Those changes, along with the language guidance, drew sharp responses from clean energy advocates and some staff. 

At a glance: terms and reported context

What experts and staff are watching

• Formal clarification: Will DOE issue an official memo confirming or canceling the guidance? 
• Funding language: Do new solicitations avoid these terms, and does scoring change as a result?
• Program reporting: Are metrics rewritten without “emissions” or “decarbonization,” and how clear are they? 
• Stakeholder reactions: How do labs, companies, and states adjust proposals and press plans? 

Simple takeaways

• Words matter. They shape how teams write goals, score projects, and share results.
• Signals conflict. The email says “avoid.” The spokesperson says there’s no formal ban.
• Outcomes count. Clear, measurable results still need clear terms or accepted alternatives.
• Stay tuned. Staff expect a follow-up with direct instructions and examples.

Official resources

For official statements, program pages, and updates, readers can check the Department of Energy website: energy.gov. It’s the best place to look for formal guidance, funding notices, and press releases that confirm next steps.