U.S. Political Outlet Obtains DOE Email
"Terms Not Aligned with Administration's Perspective and Priorities"
Words Like "Sustainability" and "Carbon Footprint" Also Prohibited
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has added terms such as "climate change," "emissions," "green," and "decarbonization" to its list of prohibited words. On the 28th (local time), the U.S. political media outlet Politico reported that it had obtained a DOE email dated the 26th revealing this development. The DOE included these terms in the "words to avoid" list for its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
The email was sent under the name of the acting head of external affairs for the EERE. The sender instructed, "All members of the team must recognize that this is the latest list of words to avoid, and must continue to be vigilant in steering clear of terms that do not align with the administration's perspective and priorities." Regarding this, Politico explained, "This is the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to deny, silence, or downplay the reality of climate change," adding, "The words on the DOE's list are central to the EERE's mission." The guidance applies broadly to both external communications with the public and internal organizational communications, including federal funding applications, reports, and briefings.
Other terms that officials are instructed not to use include "energy transition," "sustainability," "clean" or "dirty" energy, "carbon footprint," and "tax breaks/tax credits/subsidies." The Department of Energy did not respond to Politico's request for comment regarding this policy.
The new language policy was announced just days after President Donald Trump harshly criticized world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on the 23rd for taking measures to address rising carbon emissions. In his speech, he stated, "I was right about everything," and warned, "If you do not break free from the green energy scam, your country will fail."
Chris Wright, Secretary of the Department of Energy, also criticized climate science, citing a report he commissioned. The report denies established scientific consensus, downplaying the impact of increased emissions on worsening extreme weather events and claiming that the potential benefits of global warming have been underestimated.
At a press conference on the 24th, Secretary Wright announced the cancellation of $13 billion (approximately 18 trillion won) in funding for renewable energy projects, stating that the wind and solar incentives that have been in place for over 30 years will soon be abolished. Referring to these incentives, he remarked, "If you have been running a business for 33 years and have not succeeded, perhaps that business cannot succeed."
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