Former Trump official returns to DOE

By Brian Dabbs | 01/23/2025 06:19 AM EST

Cathy Tripodi will be executive director of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, sources told POLITICO’s E&E News.

Side view of Cathy Tripodi speaking.

Cathy Tripodi, pictured in 2017, worked in various offices at the Department of Energy in President Donald Trump's first administration. Dennis Schroeder/NREL

Former Trump administration official Cathy Tripodi is back at the Department of Energy in an influential role, three sources who were granted anonymity to speak freely about personnel changes told POLITICO’S E&E News.

One source said Tripodi is now listed as executive director of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations in an internal database. None of the sources was authorized to speak publicly.

Tripodi worked in various offices at the department between 2017 and 2021, including the Office of Policy and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She came under fire as assistant secretary of EERE in 2018 over the withdrawal of a solar funding opportunity.

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The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations potentially faces stiff headwinds under President Donald Trump. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation blueprint for Trump, called for its elimination.

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