A long-term federal research laboratory supporting the deployment of renewable energy in the country has laid off over 100 employees for the second time in less than a year. According to reports, the Rocky Mountains National Laboratory (NLR) has laid off 134 employees this week.

According to CBS News, nine months before the latest round of layoffs, Golden Laboratory in Colorado laid off 114 employees, affecting NRL's research and operations departments.

The research center was established in 1974 as the Solar Energy Research Institute and later renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. In December last year, the Trump administration's Department of Energy renamed it NLR again. A month ago, the Department of Energy revoked or replaced multiple offices with decarbonization tasks, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

NLR is responsible for supporting many initiatives and research projects related to the deployment of renewable energy in the United States. The laboratory also has a National Photovoltaic Center. Colorado Public Radio reported that an NRL spokesperson attributed the layoffs to "expected funding levels" and in line with the current Department of Energy's new priorities.

Solar Power World has left a voicemail with NRL and is awaiting further comments.