The House of Representatives is ‘greening up’ its act with a series of measures championed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Chief Administrative Officer Dan Beard, which will not only make it a carbon neutral operation, but will reduce the Capitol’s carbon footprint by half in ten years. Let’s start with what’s on the menu! The cafeteria’s green makeover includes an 85 percent fresh menu from local food sources with 150 miles of Washington D.C., hormone free meats, and compostable plates and beverage cups made from sugar cane and cornstarch.

Within six months of the Pelosi/Beard Green Team taking action, the House began using 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper, switched to incandescent bulbs, and set up bike racks around the Capitol grounds. More green steps are underway, with the House buying wind power to offset its electricity, and switching from mostly coal burning to all natural gas for its share of heat and air conditioning, supplied by the Capitol Power Plant.

For more on this story, read the full article at E Magazine here.

In 2006, the House was responsible for 91,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is about the same output as 17,200 cars. Unfortunately, the Senate still hasn’t made any equivalent green efforts to offset its emissions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t encourage them to start! and contact your senators - tell them you want the Senate to ‘green up’ its act too!

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