1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express serious concern about the growing staffing crisis within the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management, the agency responsible for overseeing nuclear waste cleanup and safety operations across the country. Recent reporting and Government Accountability Office findings show that nearly half of the positions in this office are now vacant, including many mission critical engineering and safety roles. This follows a wave of departures tied to the administration’s deferred resignation program and years of chronic understaffing. This is not a minor bureaucratic issue. These employees oversee radioactive waste storage, contaminated soil remediation, aging nuclear facilities, and the treatment of millions of gallons of hazardous waste. Prior investigations have already shown that staffing shortages contributed to missed safety inspections, schedule delays, cost overruns, radiation leaks, and other dangerous operational failures. Americans should not have to wonder whether critical nuclear oversight is being weakened because experienced professionals are leaving faster than they can be replaced. Public safety, environmental protection, and national security all depend on competent staffing and strong oversight in these agencies. I urge you to publicly address this issue and push for immediate action to stabilize staffing levels, retain experienced personnel, and ensure that nuclear cleanup operations are fully and safely monitored. This should not become another preventable crisis caused by political mismanagement and disregard for institutional expertise. Please put the safety of the American people ahead of political loyalty and demand accountability before these shortages create irreversible consequences.