Legislation backed by Senators McCormick and Fetterman would relocate the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy from Washington to Pittsburgh.
Last week, Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick introduced legislation that would move the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy from Washington to Pittsburgh.
Senator McCormick, a Republican, is the primary sponsor and Democratic Senator Fetterman is a co-sponsor of the bill.
The office currently has a presence in Pittsburgh through the National Energy Technology Laboratory. S. 2044 would require the move to occur one year after the passage of the bill. The agency currently employs about 750 scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff.
Senator McCormick proposed the idea last year, pointing out the importance of the office being located closer to the industry and in the center of one of the largest natural gas-producing regions in the country.
“For far too long, federal agencies in Washington have been physically removed from the workers and industries they regulate. I’m proud to partner with Senator Fetterman on this legislation to bring a critical Energy Department office to Pittsburgh near the heart of the Marcellus,” McCormick said.
Senator Fetterman noted that Pittsburgh is “uniquely qualified to be home” to the Office of Fossil Energy.
“FECM is an important agency that supports lower-carbon fuels like natural gas while addressing and lowering carbon emissions. Housing federal agencies in the communities they impact is a no brainer,” Fetterman said.
The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is currently headquartered at the Forrestal Building in Washington. The bill would require a report on changes in employment following the relocation of the office.
The office also manages the National Energy Technology Laboratory, which has labs in South Park and Morgantown, West Virginia.
