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The U.S. Department of Energy has renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to the National Laboratory of the Rockies, signaling a significant shift in federal energy priorities under the Trump administration.
The change, announced Monday, takes effect immediately and comes amid broader efforts to scale back renewable energy programs. NREL, based in Golden, Colorado, has been a cornerstone of U.S. clean energy innovation since its founding in 1977 following the oil crisis. It played a leading role in advancing solar, wind, and grid-efficiency technologies.
DOE officials said the new name reflects a broader applied energy mandate and aligns with the administration’s emphasis on cost competitiveness, manufacturing, and energy security—regardless of source.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is transforming energy through research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
“We are no longer picking and choosing energy sources,” said Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson, a former oil and gas executive. “Our highest priority is to invest in scientific capabilities that support American manufacturing and meet rising demand.”
The rebranding follows the recent closure of two major DOE offices that previously directed billions into clean energy R&D. While DOE says the lab will continue its research across the energy spectrum, many observers see the move as symbolic of the administration’s pivot toward fossil fuels.
Jud Virden, director of the newly named lab, defended the update: “This new name embraces a broader mission entrusted to us—to deliver a more affordable and secure energy future.”
Critics warn the change could dilute the lab’s focus at a time when global competition in renewables is accelerating. For now, the lab’s future direction remains uncertain—its name may have changed, but its role in shaping U.S. energy innovation is still unfolding.
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