May 7, 2010
by Laura Rossi-Ortiz
A few weeks ago I traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit with some of New York’s lawmakers to press for green initiatives. Those initiatives included legislation to encourage more public transit, sustainable communities and a climate and energy bill that will help the nation lower its carbon footprint while creating green jobs and a new green economy.
As I went from one Representative’s office to another, I wondered whether our lawmakers and their staff strive to live more sustainable lives themselves. Everyone I met was well versed in the nuances of public policy. But I couldn’t help noticing how the halls of Congress literally hum with energy consumption; the business of Capitol Hill depends on computers, blackberries and televisions. With all the emphasis on the new green economy, do any of our Representatives make it a habit to compost, to recycle, to carpool?
If anyone in the halls of Congress was changing old habits to start living and working in more energy efficient ways it wasn’t readily apparent. Since I was on my best behavior, I resisted the temptation to search for CFLs under any lampshades or blue recycling bins under desks. Yet I believe that even the most wonkish staffer should be familiar with the challenges of changing one’s behavior to start living a more sustainable lifestyle.
How the House (of Representatives) is going green
So I was intrigued when I found a pocket card in one Representative’s office titled How the House is “Going Green.” The card, published on 100 percent post-consumer recycled content and chlorine-free paper by the House’s “Green the Capitol” Office, provides some interesting facts about efforts to make the House of Representatives a model of sustainability. The card even provides the potential cost-savings associated with each goal.
In 2007 the House pledged to reduce its energy use by 50 percent over ten years. According to the “Green the Capitol” Office, it has already reduced its carbon footprint by 74 percent by purchasing wind energy to meet all its electricity needs. In 2008, House Office Buildings switched from coal to natural gas for heat; in 2009, the entire Capitol complex switched to natural gas.
What about all those humming computers? All 441 Member and other facility servers have been consolidated, saving nearly 6.6 kWh annually. 13,000 computers now have power management settings and smart power strips.
The halls of Congress and the Capitol dome are now lit with energy efficient lighting. Over 13,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs have been installed. HVAC and controls systems have been upgraded, water conservation measures have been implemented. Our Representatives now enjoy low-flow toilets. The Capitol’s Center Court Fountain flows with water that has been recaptured from condensation from an air-handling unit in the Rayburn building.
While I only saw a couple of recycling bins in the basement cafeteria, the Capitol wants you to know that its cafeteria is now free of Styrofoam and food waste is composted.
Last year, the House recycled 1,803 tons of paper
Over 300 offices participate in “My Green Office,” a program that raises awareness about reducing energy consumption and waste. Last year, the House recycled 1,803 tons of paper, 46 tons of bottles and cans, and one ton of leather in 2009.
Leather? The House has its own furniture shop. It reupholsters all furniture in “eco-friendly” leather, water-based lacquers and alcohol-based dyes for furniture refinishing. All House offices are installed with low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) carpet and paints to improve the quality of the air.
These are all impressive steps and the House is proud of its accomplishments. In fact, it has published year-end reports to catalogue its achievements, which can be read in .pdf versions at http://cao.house.gov/GreenTheCapitol/. You can also take a nifty tour at the well-designed Web site.
Most of us in the real America would love to become more energy efficient, but we need choices that are affordable and manageable. After reading the Green the Capitol pocket card and visiting the cool Web site for Green the Capitol, I can only hope that all these initiatives have informed our lawmakers and their staff that green policies work best when they include support for programs that are designed to help each of us make permanent lifestyle changes that will reduce our carbon footprint.
Laura Rossi-Ortiz is a member of the Town’s Sustainability Advisory Board. To learn more about the New Castle’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, click HERE.
For the Town of New Castle’s Guide to Recycling, click HERE.
Copyright 2012 NewCastleNOW.org