Dems: It's easy being green
Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 4:20 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:
Congress, Democrats
From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The Capitol's gone green.
On this 39th Earth Day, Democratic government officials went on a coordinated virtual enviromental attack.
Within an hour of each other, President Obama spoke in Iowa about clean energy and replacing lightbulbs, and, here on Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was touting Democrats' efforts to "Green the Capitol."
Video: Speaking in Iowa, Obama says his green initiatives will create jobs, energy independence and prosperity.
Pelosi announced that since undertaking a "
Green the Capitol Initiative" 18 months ago, the building's carbon emissions have been reduced by 72 percent. She called it a "remarkable achiemevent" and said the Capitol is now a great example for others in the country.
But more needs to be done, she insisted. Flanked by Democratic Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Steve Israel, Jim Langevin, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Peter Welch and others, Pelosi launched the next phase: "Green My Office."
In a corner of the marble-walled Rayburn office building foyer, they spoke in front of a backdrop of office furniture labeled with 15 suggestions for members of Congress to make their offices more environmentally friendly. There was also a sign that read, "Did you know? The House's electricity comes from 100% wind power." Pens, balloons, cards and stickers were handed out, promoting the push.
Among the suggestions: Cancel excess magazine and newspaper subscriptions, change to flourescent light bulbs, put out composting and paper recycling cans and, simply, shut off lights and computers at the end of the day.
Israel said Hill staffers "can save a barrel of oil a day per office just by pushing that button" on computers.
Pelosi, who called the efforts a "moral issue," praised Oregon's Blumenauer as the "instigator" for the initiative.
The multi-colored bow-tie donning congressman said the "federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the world" and that the efforts were "worth it."
He added that the House had gone so green that even the packaging "your salad comes in" in the House cafeteria can be ground up and eaten "for breakfast."
How's that for a meal on the go?
"No thanks," Pelosi said, when the laughs from the crowd subsided.
Asked about Republicans who are taking part, Pelosi said she has gotten no indication from the other side of members eager to help in the effort.
In fact, this morning, after the GOP Conference meeting, Republicans blasted energy legislation put forward by Democrats. The Energy and Commerce Committee is holding four "clean energy" hearings this week, culminating with the testimony of former Vice President Al Gore on Friday.
Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana upped the rhetoric this morning calling "cap-and-trade" taxes "a declaration of war" on the Midwest. To make his point, he stood in front of a large, glossy posterboard with a color-coded map of U.S. states. The source for the map, titled "Cap and Trade Tax Vulnerability," is from the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.
Pence urged Democrats to "come clean" on the cost of the clean air legislation. He charged that the bill has no numbers on the cost to energy companies and the "American people."
Nonetheless, Pelosi said Republicans ultimately would be held to account by their consituents, who she said increasingly want action on the issue.
