House of Representatives Embraces Carbon Neutrality-for Itself

By Allyson Wendt and Russell Fortmeyer

A "Green the Capitol" report released in June 2007 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 percent 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 6.2 million square feet that comprise the House’s facilities 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.

Other initiatives include the use of non-toxic cleaning products, improving existing recycling programs, installing efficient lighting, and increasing water conservation. Pelosi’s office says this 10-year plan is more than twice what the 2005 Energy Policy Act requires of federal buildings.

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 other actions has yet to be introduced.

Pelosi has made global warming and climate change a central part of her tenure as Speaker thus far, including the establishment of a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming earlier this year. Furthermore, the Speaker personally paid to offset the carbon footprint—to the tune of 500,000 tons of CO2—of a recent overseas research trip of the committee.

For more information on the report:

http://speaker.gov/issues?id=0023

This article was produced by BuildingGreen, Inc.- www.buildinggreen.com

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