As the federal shutdown spills into its third week, the Department of Energy is moving nuclear workers back to their homes. The move means that technicians who normally keep nuclear reactors safe and running are now stuck at home, with no scheduled shift.
The decision comes after lawmakers voted to extend the pause in federal operations, which seized funding for many agencies. Energy officials said they can’t afford to keep nuclear‑plant staff on payroll while the federal budget stalls, so the Department is temporarily furloughing employees in stations across the country.
These workers include plant operators, safety inspectors, and maintenance crews who are crucial to keeping power plants inside the U.S. grid running securely. They have played an important role in preventing costly outages and maintaining grid stability.
“Furloughing people who keep an atomistic system operating safely is not something we take lightly,” Energy Secretary said in a brief statement. He added that the agency will keep communication lines open to smoothly restore work when the shutdown ends.
The move has stirred concerns among safety advocates, who note that many nuclear facilities have staff shortages already; adding furloughs could strain oversight. Some critics argue the government could use emergency funds to keep staff on site. Others say that a mini‑shutdown at energy sites is just part of the broader pause that also keeps airlines, the U.S. Postal Service, and other essential services in limbo.
For workers, the shutdown means no paychecks, no training, and an uncertain return to the plant. Some have pivoted to remote work in their interim roles, though most tasks require the physical presence of a licensed technician.
As the shutdown continues, the Department of Energy will likely phase in more furloughs or find alternatives, balancing federal financial constraints with the safety needs of the nation’s nuclear infrastructure. The situation will rise in the news as Congress debates whether to pass a budget, extend the shutdown, or resolve the stalemate that keeps workers on the sidelines of the U.S. nuclear power sector.
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