WA’s leaders blast Trump’s ‘dangerous’ cuts to Bonneville Power Administration’s staff
Washington’s leaders are warning that the region could be at greater risk of blackouts because of recent energy grid-related actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration.
This month, about 130 of the Bonneville Power Administration’s more than 3,000 employees were informed that they’d been let go, as part of the ongoing federal-job cuts, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. The agency has since opted to bring back 30 of those workers.
BPA, which manages and owns three-quarters of the Northwest’s power grid, reportedly still intends to cut about 430 positions. That number includes some who are resigning in exchange for a buyout and others who had their job offers revoked.
The Trump administration’s firing of federal workers also has affected other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Parks Service.
But Gov. Bob Ferguson decried the BPA terminations in a Feb. 19 post on X (formerly Twitter).
“By cutting the Bonneville Power Administration, President Trump is increasing the risk of blackouts in our region,” he said. “This is dangerous.”
McClatchy emailed The White House and Bonneville Power Administration seeking comment, but has not heard back.
Trump has defended the federal-employee purge as part of his plan to save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. But officials counter that the agency is self-funded through power and transmission sales. It doesn’t get money from taxpayers.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray noted that Trump’s layoffs are targeting BPA workers “who literally keep the lights on.” They include engineers, electricians and cybersecurity experts.
The Washington Democrat added on X: “Ratepayers support BPA — NOT federal funding. This is putting our energy grid at serious risk!”
Murray said during a Feb. 19 press conference that throughout her career working with Republican and Democratic administrations, lawmakers have always been able to speak with agencies and receive requested information. Today, though, the agencies are staying tight-lipped about details.
She said she doesn’t have specifics regarding who’s been laid off at the BPA, something that she called deeply troubling given her congressional oversight role.
The Bonneville Power Administration is the source of nearly half the electrical power consumed in Washington, said Olympia resident Liz Krumpp, who worked at BPA for 15 years before retiring in 2023.
Krumpp told reporters during the Feb. 19 press call that BPA has received demands to broaden its transmission service, not decrease it. She said it’s been painful watching the random layoffs, non-strategic buyouts and terminations unfold.
“Northwest ratepayers should be very concerned,” Krumpp said. “Bonneville helps keep the lights on in the Northwest. Its work costs taxpayers nothing.”
In Murray’s view, Trump’s “firing spree is not about merit” — many of the dismissed workers are those who have been recognized for excellent performance or recently promoted. Nor is it about saving money.
“But no matter. They’re being fired on a whim because two billionaires don’t have a clue about what they do, and don’t care to learn,” Murray said, referencing X owner Elon Musk, head of the new federal Department of Government Efficiency. “And Trump is not tossing workers out on the street to make government more efficient.”
The Seattle Times’ editorial board argued Feb. 18 that Trump’s cuts are putting Washington’s security in jeopardy. It cited estimates that DOGE will slash BPA’s 3,100-worker staff by 10% to 20%, raising the risk of regional blackouts from about 1% to 20%.
“That is a very real security threat,” the board wrote.
This story was originally published February 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
.jpg)