Sweeping US energy department layoffs hit offices of loans, nuclear security, sources say

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has laid off about 1,200 to 2,000 workers at the Department of Energy, including employees at a power grid office, the nuclear security administration and the loans office, three sources familiar with the matter said on Friday.

Democratic lawmakers also said the layoffs include workers at national labs and hydroelectric plants, and Cold War legacy nuclear sites that pose safety risks. The DOE has about 14,000 federal employees and 95,000 contractors.

The layoffs of probationary workers come after three people representing billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency arrived...