Source:
Associated PressHouse Plans to Become Carbon NeutralThursday June 21, 2007 5:46 PM
By JIM ABRAMS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The House aims to slash energy consumption
by 50 percent in 10 years under a “Green the Capitol” initiative
released Thursday by congressional leaders.
The final report prepared by the House's Chief Administrative Officer
also pledges that the chamber will operate in a carbon-neutral
manner by the end of next year.
The report outlines a series of environmental initiatives such as
purchasing electricity generated from renewable sources, installing
energy efficient lighting, reducing the use of coal at the Capitol
power plant and switching to hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.
-snip-According to the report, two thirds of those emissions could be cut
by using renewable fuel sources for electricity and increasing use of
natural gas at the power plant, which does not generate power but
does provide steam for heating and cooling. Currently, more than half
the electricity Congress buys is generated by coal. Only 2 percent
comes from renewable fuels.
The remaining 24,000 tons of carbon emissions would be dealt with
by buying carbon offsets from the Chicago Climate Exchange.
-snip-Read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6726020,00.html