What Bennet and Weiser have said about NREL is mostly tied to broader energy and Colorado jobs messaging, not a long standalone back-and-forth. Bennet publicly praised NREL leadership and its growth, while Weiser’s side has highlighted NREL in criticism of Trump-aligned energy policy and cabinet picks.

Michael Bennet

Bennet has spoken positively about NREL, especially in a Senate statement honoring then-director Dr. Martin Keller. He said Keller’s service and leadership helped NREL expand facilities, launch new research efforts, and strengthen the workforce, and he called the lab’s impact important for Colorado and U.S. energy research.

Phil Weiser

The clearest NREL-related language tied to Weiser comes through his campaign’s attacks on Trump energy officials and on Bennet’s confirmation votes. In that messaging, Weiser’s team said Trump Energy Secretary Chris Wright laid off scientists at NREL and dismissed clean-energy support, using the lab as an example of what they see as harmful federal energy policy.

What this means

So, in plain terms: Bennet has framed NREL as a success story for Colorado research and clean energy, while Weiser has used NREL more as evidence in a political contrast about protecting clean energy and federal science jobs. The available statements do not show a direct dispute between Bennet and Weiser over NREL itself so much as different political uses of the lab in campaign messaging.

Source note

The Bennet quote is from a Senate statement on Dr. Martin Keller’s departure from NREL, and the Weiser-related NREL reference comes from campaign material criticizing Trump energy policy.

TL;DR: Bennet praised NREL’s growth and leadership; Weiser’s camp cited NREL in criticizing Trump-era energy moves and job cuts.