Fedorchak votes to modernize federal building standards, lower costs

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) today voted in favor of H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, bipartisan legislation she cosponsored to modernize federal construction standards, reduce costs, and restore flexibility in how federal buildings are designed, built, and powered. The bill passed the House in a 215-202 vote and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

"It is completely unrealistic to require federal buildings to stop using reliable fossil fuels by 2030. When demand surges or extreme weather hits, dispatchable power is what keeps the lights on," Fedorchak said. "This bill restores energy choice, lowers costs, and puts reliability and affordability back at the center of how federal buildings are powered."

The Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act repeals Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, requiring increasingly stringent federal building energy standards that would effectively eliminate the use of on-site fossil fuel energy in new and renovated federal buildings by 2030. These mandates were written at a time when the United States faced energy scarcity. Today, America is the world's leading producer of oil and natural gas, and federal policy should reflect that strength, not restrict it.

Section 433 pushes federal buildings toward an electricity-only model, increasing reliance on intermittent energy sources that cannot consistently meet demand, especially during extreme weather events.

Recent grid stress events such as Winter Storm Fern have underscored the importance of dispatchable energy. During major winter storms, coal and natural gas generation have ramped up to meet demand, while wind and solar output has fallen well below capacity.

The legislation repeals these one-size-fits-all mandates and regulations, restoring flexibility for federal agencies to choose energy sources that are reliable, efficient, and cost-effective. By removing these requirements, the bill supports grid reliability, reduces construction and operating costs for taxpayers, and protects mission-critical federal infrastructure, including military installations.

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