May 1, 2009
Posted: May 1st, 2009 06:00 PM ET

From
What do you think of the two senators who represent your state?
What do you think of the two senators who represent your state?

(CNN) – The Capitol is revamping its energy supply.

The Capitol power plant will use natural gas as the primary fuel source for steam used at the compound to heat buildings and water, terminating its coal usage unless needed for emergency backup, according to a statement released by Democratic leaders of the House and Senate Friday.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claim the switch will improve DC air quality and reduce Congress's carbon pollution impact, serving as an example for cleaner fuel usage across the United States.

"The Congress of the United States should not only be a model for the nation, but also a good neighbor," said Pelosi. Senate Majority Leader Reid echoed the speaker's statement saying the "switch to cleaner burning natural gas shows that the House and Senate are leading by example in reducing our emissions."

The Capitol architect in charge of the switch cited that the complex will revert back to coal usage in "abnormally cold conditions" or in the case of equipment outages.

Filed under: Capitol • Energy


Katie B in Clayton NC   May 1st, 2009 10:16 pm ET

It's about time!

Pat Omaha, NE   May 1st, 2009 10:01 pm ET

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Try some other renewable sources as well!

amt, CA   May 1st, 2009 9:46 pm ET

Senators Barbara Boxer & Dianne Feinstein are my two senators & I like them just fine. Especially Boxer fought real hard to get the stimulus past I give them both "A"

Proud DHS radical   May 1st, 2009 9:40 pm ET

They must have ran a gas pipe line from the Capital building to the power plant.

Dem in AZ   May 1st, 2009 8:52 pm ET

This is great! This will show the repuds the future is here. Old out,the New here

Willy Brown   May 1st, 2009 8:45 pm ET

Both the senators of VA. are lap dogs for #44 and have the same amount of experiences at TOTUS and that’s zero.

Don   May 1st, 2009 8:18 pm ET

The best way for this congress to reduce it's carbon footprint would be to simply disapear

terry maineiac   May 1st, 2009 7:45 pm ET

there should be a similar mandate for every government building.
they should switch to renewable energy sources; in particular solar.
every goverment building should have solar power connected to the power grids, when they arent using they are generating power.
They should also have solar hot water arrays.

Not only goverment bust also all office buildings should have solar electric arrays on every roof top over 10 stories.

Consider how much energy we could generate and how many barrels of oil we would save, No more drill baby drill.

Alex   May 1st, 2009 7:44 pm ET

They should go one step further and take fossil fuels out of the process entirely! For the Capitol, the White House, and other government facilities (The Pentagon perhaps?) to go totally green would be a great long term investment and sign of leadership. A competitive project integrating many cleaner technologies: solar, wind, water, geothermal, etc. could offer the opportunity for innovation and help pave the way for these technologies to be adopted for broad consumer and business use.

MESA MICK   May 1st, 2009 7:27 pm ET

It's 2009 and Capitol Hill is just now converting to cleaner burning NatGas?
Things move slowly in the government but this time around our House and Senate should be ashamed of themselves, not crowing like they did something great. They are 20 years behind times for cryin' out loud. Absurd....

annie for Palin   May 1st, 2009 7:24 pm ET

or in case bo keeps turning the thermostat up to 85 degrees.

mark   May 1st, 2009 6:50 pm ET

Sorry, but i can't afford to pay higher energy cost.....

Thanks but no Thanks

Cap and Trade

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