Pelosi, Democrats Launch 100 Percent Carbon Neutral 'Green the Capitol Initiative'
The preliminary report on the 'Green the Capitol Initiative' was presented by the CAO in response to a March 1 letter by House Democratic leaders requesting the development of such an initiative.
'The environmental challenges we face are as local as our neighborhoods and as global as our planet,' Speaker Pelosi said. 'The House must lead by example and it is time for Congress to act on its own carbon footprint. Today, we announce our intention to operate the House in a carbon neutral manner at the earliest possible date with a deadline of the end of this Congress.'
'I commend the CAO on this thoughtful preliminary report on how the House can take steps to operate in a sustainable manner that is more sensitive to the environment,' said Majority Leader Hoyer. 'Improving energy efficiency is the most effective first step that any organization can take to make a positive effect on the world we live in and that we leave to our children and grandchildren.'
The recommendations in the CAO's preliminary report include:
- Operate the House in a Carbon Neutral Manner
- Shift to 100 percent Renewable Electric Power
- Aggressively Improve Energy Efficiency
- Adoption of Sustainable Business Practices
- Continued Leadership on Sustainability Issues
- Offsets to Ensure Carbon Neutral Operations
'Implementing these important first steps signal we are not only doing the right thing, but we are taking steps that will eventually save money,' said Chairwoman Wasserman Schultz. 'Through these recommendations we will show not only that these actions are environmentally beneficial, but are fiscally sound.'
Click here to read the executive summary by the CAO:
Click here to read the full report by the CAO: