Energy Department considers more than 40 percent of its staff nonessential as layoffs loom

The Energy Department (DOE) considers more than 40 percent of its staffers to be nonessential — meaning these people could be on the chopping block — as mass layoffs loom at the agency and across the federal government.

A document viewed by The Hill on Friday states that out of the agency’s current headcount of 15,994 positions — 9,004 are essential, meaning some 7,000 other positions are not. 

The approximately 16,000 total positions listed by the agency does include nearly...