Washington, D.C., June 12, 2025 – Pennsylvania Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced S. 2044, which would move the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to Pittsburgh.
“For far too long, federal agencies in Washington have been physically removed from the workers and industries they regulate,” Senator McCormick said. “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.”
“With its rich history of energy production, top-tier universities, and state-of-the-art manufacturing infrastructure, Pittsburgh is uniquely qualified to be the home of the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m proud to join Senator McCormick to introduce legislation calling for this move while protecting the union way of life. 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.”
Last year, Senator McCormick proposed moving DOE operations to Pittsburgh to place agency officials closer to the industry they regulate and work with every day. Pennsylvania is the second largest producer of natural gas in America, with most of that production happening in western Pennsylvania.
The Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) is made up of about 750 federal employees—scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. The Office is responsible for research, development, and demonstration on advanced power generation; power plant efficiency; carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies; emission control technologies; and so much more. It is responsible for the technological solutions for the development of our unconventional oil and gas domestic resources and also manages the Nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve and Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
The OFECM also manages the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). This is the lead field center for research and program development. Through this laboratory there are nearly 700 federal sponsored projects that are conducted through private sector research partners.
The bill would require the Department of Energy to move the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (OFECM) within the DOE to Pittsburgh one year after passage. It would also require the Secretary of Energy to provide a report to Congress on employment changes and any impacts to collective bargaining rights.
The OFECM houses the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which is already based in Pittsburgh and does a significant amount of OFECM’s functional work. The impact on staffing would be minimal and provide more jobs to Pennsylvania while having a federal office housed in the Commonwealth.
Contact: Meghan Rodgers, meghan_rodgers@mccormick.senate.gov
###