[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE CAPITOL POWER PLANT

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I know the Republican leadership has 
opposed, even mocked, the Speaker's determination that the House lead 
by example by greening the Capitol. Helping each office reduce its 
carbon footprint, eliminate waste, and save money is exactly what 
Americans want from their leaders.
  But last night's attack on the floor of the House by my Republican 
colleagues on the conversion of the Capitol Power Plant from coal to 
natural gas was bizarre. That Capitol Power Plant is the number one 
source of pollution in the District of Columbia. We've reduced the 
carbon pollution 50 percent, 95 percent of the sulfur oxide, at least 
50 percent of the carbon monoxide, reducing a serious problem for the 
respiratory health of the District of Columbia's children.
  I hope that people in their zeal to score political points don't get 
unhinged. This is important business. We're moving in the right 
direction, and we ought to be able to understand these basic facts.

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