The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), together with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), announced on Mar. 26 that DOE’s headquarters will move from the James V. Forrestal Building to the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) building, which currently houses the U.S. Department of Education.
This relocation is expected to save taxpayers more than $350 million in deferred maintenance and modernization costs, according to DOE officials, supporting efforts to eliminate waste and improve efficiency within federal agencies.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, “Relocating to the LBJ building will deliver significant taxpayer savings and will ensure the Energy Department continues to deliver on its mission.” Wright also noted plans for close cooperation with GSA and the Education Department during this process.
The LBJ building has been upgraded into a Class A facility with minimal deferred maintenance requirements. All staff currently at Forrestal will be reassigned either to LBJ or other DOE sites such as Germantown Campus, Portals, or 950 L’Enfant Plaza.
GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst said, “GSA is partnering with the Department of Education and the Department of Energy to match their missions of tomorrow with ideal environments that powers their talented workforce, cuts waste, and lowers costs.” Forst added thanks for collaboration among agency leaders in carrying out President Trump’s directive aimed at strengthening government real estate management.
This initiative aligns with broader strategies across recent administrations focused on streamlining federal real estate holdings while supporting an efficient government workforce in modern facilities.
In related efforts by DOE under previous administrations: On July 21, 2022, DOE announced a Notice of Intent for a $225 million program funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law aimed at implementing new energy codes for buildings according to DOE. The department also released a video featuring then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm encouraging international cooperation on clean energy transitions as shown by DOE.
Further activities include testimony before Congress highlighting technology development’s role in environmental cleanup missions according to William White and Vahid Majidi, innovative groundwater remediation using passive energy processes at Savannah River Site reported by DOE Office of Environmental Management, announcement of $96 million for clean vehicle technologies by DOE, and launching over 140 programs supporting Justice40 Initiative goals for investments in disadvantaged communities according to DOE.
