Trump’s Energy Department forbids staff from saying ‘climate change’ or ‘green’

The Department of Energy has introduced a controversial list of prohibited terms, following directives from a Trump-appointed official. According to a memo reviewed by Politico, these 'words to avoid' were communicated to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) on Friday. Among the banned phrases are 'climate change,' 'green,' 'decarbonization,' 'energy transition,' and 'sustainability.' Additional terms such as 'subsidies,' 'tax breaks,' 'tax credits,' and 'carbon footprint' have also been included. Notably, the word 'emissions' appears on the list, as it is deemed to carry negative connotations despite its neutral dictionary definition. This move comes in the wake of a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that classified greenhouse gases not merely as emissions but as substances that can be regulated as pollutants. Established in the late 1970s in response to the energy crisis, the EERE was designed to promote renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, thereby stabilizing the economy against volatile oil and gas prices. Under President Trump, the administration has shifted its focus toward traditional energy sources, often labeling renewable energy initiatives as a 'green energy scam.' In a recent address at the United Nations, Trump criticized global investments in renewable technologies, asserting that such countries would ultimately 'fail.' Interestingly, despite this rhetoric, investments in renewable energy reached a record high of $386 billion in the first half of 2025, buoyed by growth in offshore wind and small-scale solar projects, as reported by BloombergNEF.