Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Relocation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4415
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-01T17:52:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation aims to relocate the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (a division within the U.S. Department of Energy focused on fossil fuel policies and carbon management strategies) from Washington, DC, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to potentially enhance regional expertise and operations in energy matters.
Key Provisions
- Relocation Requirement: The Secretary of Energy must complete the relocation by December 31, 2026, overriding any conflicting federal laws about the location of government offices (specifically, section 72 of title 4, United States Code, which generally restricts moving federal departments from the national capital without congressional approval).
- Congressional Reporting: Within one year after the relocation, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing:
- Employee attrition (reductions in staff) during and after the move.
- The role of the relocation in causing any attrition.
- Plans to address staff losses.
- Effects on employees' ability to negotiate workplace conditions through representatives (such as unions).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill directly authorizes and mandates the relocation, bypassing the default rule under federal law that keeps major government offices in Washington, DC, unless Congress explicitly permits otherwise. It represents a targeted exception to preserve the office's functions while shifting its base.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Energy may face short-term disruptions, including relocation costs, potential staff turnover, and adjustments to operations. The report provision ensures oversight to mitigate long-term efficiency losses.
- On Citizens: Residents of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas in Pennsylvania could benefit from local job opportunities and economic activity related to energy policy. Employees and their families might experience personal disruptions from the move, such as higher living costs or relocation challenges.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic administrative changes without altering energy policies or foreign engagements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy and Secretary of Energy: Responsible for executing the relocation and reporting to Congress.
- Office Employees: Directly impacted by the move, including potential job losses or changes in negotiation rights.
- Congress (Especially Pennsylvania Representatives): Sponsors (from Pennsylvania) gain oversight through the report; broader Congress ensures accountability.
- Pittsburgh Community and Pennsylvania Residents: Potential economic and employment gains from hosting the office.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill invokes congressional authority to override capital location restrictions, affirming Congress's power under the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) to manage federal operations. It includes safeguards like the attrition report to address potential legal challenges related to employee rights or administrative feasibility.
- Constitutional: No major conflicts, as the relocation is a permissible exercise of legislative control over executive agencies.
- Political: Introduced by bipartisan Pennsylvania representatives, it highlights regional interests in energy hubs like Pittsburgh (a historical center for fossil fuels), potentially influencing future debates on decentralizing federal offices to promote economic development in specific states.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Reschenthaler, Guy [R-PA-14]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Joyce, John [R-PA-13], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Relocation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (2 pages)