Kirkland-based clean energy firm founded by Bill Gates cuts staff
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates' climate-focused organization Breakthrough Energy has laid off some of its staff, according to a report from The New York Times.
The Kirkland-based organization made cuts to its European operations, its U.S. public policy team and its team working on partnerships. The report noted that Gates felt the policy team wouldn't have much of an impact with Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House.
“Bill Gates remains as committed as ever to advancing the clean energy innovations needed to address climate change," a Breakthrough Energy spokesperson said in a statement. "His work in this area will continue and is focused on helping drive reliable affordable, clean energy solutions that will enable people everywhere to thrive.”
The layoffs at Breakthrough Energy come as the Trump administration works to shrink the federal government, including efforts to address climate change.
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