H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, would repeal an economically counterproductive section of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to eliminate fossil fuel usage in all new federal buildings and in all federal buildings undergoing major renovations by 2030. This legislation was introduced by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23) and was marked up by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on December 3, 2025.
Background
Higher energy costs translate into higher costs for the taxpayers. The single largest consumer of energy in the nation is the federal government, with federal buildings representing about 40% of the energy used by the government.
When Congress signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, it amended the Energy Conservation and Production Act with a provision that required major reductions in fossil fuel usage in new federal buildings over time, with it being entirely eliminated by 2030. However, it took until April 2024 for the DOE to finalize a rule based on this law as a part of President Joe Biden’s green agenda.
The rule required a 90% reduction in fossil fuel usage relative to 2003 levels for comparable buildings in new and majorly renovated federal buildings starting in 2025, and a 100% reduction in fossil fuel usage by 2030. The DOE, under the Trump Administration, put a stay on this rule in May of 2025, halting its implementation for one year. Without Congressional action, this stay is just a stop gap, as future presidential administrations can enforce this law later.
Electric Compared to Fossil Fuels
The largest use of fossil fuels for federal buildings is for heating. Electric heating can be cheaper and more efficient for smaller buildings in warmer climates, but fossil fuel furnaces are better for larger buildings in colder climates where heating is needed throughout the year. Electric heating requires less maintenance, but furnaces tend to have lower operational costs.
Federal buildings currently using fossil fuels would need to undergo major internal renovations alongside upgrades to the electrical infrastructure connecting them to the grid. Eliminating the option to use fossil fuels, where it costs less and is more efficient, is counterproductive.
Keeping Options Open
While there are situations where going electric would be more efficient, fossil fuel hookups still have a place, especially when the electric grid is being strained by AI power demand. Making all federal buildings electric-only going forward would increase demand on the grid, adding further strain to an already shaky system. Fossil fuel hookups, on the other hand, do not require additional electric grid infrastructure for support, and fossil fuel-based infrastructure is much less expensive to build.
The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act would reverse bad policy, reduce costs for the taxpayers, keep the option open to use fossil fuels where it’s more practical, and prevent further burden on an already struggling grid.
