Energy Department climate change office bans ‘climate change’ language — yes, you read that right

The Energy Department’s Office of International Climate and Clean Energy is now no longer allowed to use language necessary for promoting or even acknowledging the existence of global warming, including phrases “climate change,” “emissions reduction” and “Paris Agreement,” according to a report by Politico.

Politico reports a supervisor in the Office of International Climate and Clean Energy told employees of the agency on Tuesday they would no longer be able to use the climate-change language in written communications.

The instructions were delivered on the same day President Donald Trump signed a multi-part executive order that reversed climate-change-related policies implemented by President Barack Obama. According to the text of the order, it will promote “clean and safe development of our Nation’s vast energy resources, while at the same time avoiding regulatory burdens that unnecessarily encumber energy production, constrain economic growth, and prevent job creation.”

According to the Office of International Climate and Clean Energy’s website, “The Office of International Climate Office of International Climate and Clean Energy (ICCE) … serves as the focal point for international climate change and clean energy activities within the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The Office coordinates DOE participation in international forums that focus on these topics, such as the Clean Energy Ministerial, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It also develops and implements international climate and clean energy initiatives consistent with Administration policy objectives and coordinates the related efforts of other DOE program offices.”

Interestingly, the Department of Energy’s website contains language that seems to conflict with the new directive for the Office of International Climate and Clean Energy.

In a section titled “Climate Change,” DOE states, “To fight climate change, the Energy Department supports research and innovation that makes fossil energy technologies cleaner and less harmful to the people and the environment. We’re taking responsible steps to cut carbon pollution, develop domestic renewable energy production and win the global race for clean energy innovation. We’re also working to dramatically increase the efficiency of appliances, homes, businesses and vehicles—all in support of the President’s Climate Action Plan.”

The “President” named here is President Obama, suggesting the website is in need of significant updating.

The DOE is run by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), who has during his career been very vocal about his opposition to the theory man is causing global temperatures to rise. However, during his confirmation hearings in January, Perry seemed to back away slightly from that stance.

“I believe the climate is changing,” said Perry. “I believe some of it is naturally occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity. The question is how do we address it in a thoughtful way that doesn’t compromise economic growth, the affordability of energy or American jobs.”