WASHINGTON - A new report details plans to move the U.S. House of Representatives to carbon-neutral operation by the end of 2008, to reduce energy consumption in House facilities by 50% from 2006 levels by 2017, and to “make House operations a model of sustainability.†The initiative, headed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D–CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D–MD), calls for the House to achieve carbon neutrality by purchasing electricity from renewable sources, purchasing carbon offsets on the Chicago Climate Exchange, and switching the fuel for the Capitol power plant from coal to natural gas.
WASHINGTON - A new report details plans to move the U.S. House of Representatives to carbon-neutral operation by the end of 2008, to reduce energy consumption in House facilities by 50% from 2006 levels by 2017, and to “make House operations a model of sustainability.”
The initiative, headed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D”“CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D”“MD), calls for the House to achieve carbon neutrality by purchasing electricity from renewable sources, purchasing carbon offsets on the Chicago Climate Exchange, and switching the fuel for the Capitol power plant from coal to natural gas.
The funding for these steps is outlined in an appropriations bill passed by the House and currently making its way through the Senate. In addition to these steps, the report outlines strategies for reducing energy consumption in the House by using more energy-efficient equipment in buildings and improving the efficiency of the Capitol power plant; legislation to fund these actions has yet to be introduced.
The full report is available at www.speaker.gov (click on “greening the capitol”).
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