Federal buildings currently have to meet energy standards that effectively push new construction away from fossil fuel heating, under rules in the Energy Conservation and Production Act. This bill repeals those standards and blocks green building certifications (like LEED) from disqualifying a federal building just because it uses natural gas or other fossil fuels. The Energy Department would have 180 days to rewrite its regulations. Federal agencies planning new construction would get more flexibility; climate advocates say it slows the federal shift off fossil fuels.
Congressional Summary
Reliable Federal Infrastructure ActThis bill repeals certain energy efficiency performance standards for new federal buildings and federal buildings undergoing major renovations. Specifically, the bill repeals the performance standards that phase out fossil fuel use in such buildings by FY2030.The bill directs the Department of Energy to implement the standards as though such phase-out requirements had never taken effect until it issues regulations with revised performance standards.The bill also specifies that certain systems that certify green buildings may not prohibit federal buildings from obtaining a certification as a green building or high-performance green building solely based on direct or indirect consumption of fossil fuels.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to House
- Action Date
- 2026-02-04
- Date Added
- 2026-04-19