The Trump administration appears to be reversed plans to terminate office leases that manage radioactive waste as the Trump administration attempts to cancel leases for hundreds of federal buildings.
Ministry of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Website List the Energy Division In Carlsbad, New Mexico, it has ended as one of 748 leases.
However, Sen. Martin Heinrich (DN.M.) says he spoke to Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
“This week, @Repgabevasquez, @senatorlujan, and I'm with the Carlsbad Doe office [Waste Isolation Pilot Plant] Heinrich Posted on x on Thursday.
“On my phone call with Secretary Wright, he is pleased to announce that they have committed to doing so,” he added.
The Energy Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The office is home to workers who manage the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan, an underground storage facility for defense-related nuclear waste.
Leases are not related to the waste site itself, but to the offices of the employees who run it.
The General Services Agency, which maintains the federal building, refused to address certain cases, but provided the hill with a statement that it was “trying to optimize the federal footprint.”
“Actor Manager” [Stephen] Ehikian's GSA vision includes reducing postponed maintenance debt, helping federal employees return to offices and leveraging stronger private/government partnerships to manage the future workforce.”
“The GSA is looking at all options to optimize footprint and build utilization. The GSA is actively working with tenant agencies to assess space needs and fully optimize the federal footprint. Please share more information about your specific savings and facilities.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has made a quick move to cut costs, but it appears to have been a clear turnaround later.
Previously, the Energy Agency reportedly tried to reverse the firing of federal workers at the National Nuclear Security Agency. It was in one of several divisions that revived workers who were later fired.
The Doge website lists lease cancellations offering $810,599 in annual savings.
Wright was confirmed last month in a bipartisan vote, with Sen. Heinrich and Ben Ray Luhan (DN.M.) among Democrats who voted in favor of his confirmation.
