Earmarks and Layoffs

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., announced yesterday that it had cut its staff by 32 people due to a $28 million budget shortfall. What's interesting is the reason lab officials gave for the layoffs:

Congressionally directed projects, or earmarks, reduced the budget available to the Department of Energy for funding renewable energy and energy efficiency research at the Laboratory, leaving $28 million less in operating funds for NREL for fiscal year 2006. The Laboratory made substantial cuts in other areas, including travel, outside contracts and other operating expenses, before reducing staff.