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WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced that his amendment requiring the U.S. House of Representatives to offset carbon dioxide emissions through the world’s first and North America’s only greenhouse gas trading system passed the House today. The amendment was attached to the 2008 Legislative Branch appropriations bill, which passed by 216 to 176.
The amendment requests that the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) purchase Carbon Financial Instruments from American projects through the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) to offset carbon produced by all House operations after renewable energy and efficiency improvements are made. The House of Representatives complex is responsible for producing approximately 91,000 tons of greenhouse gases, or the equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted from 17,200 cars.
“This amendment will ensure that the House of Representatives becomes ‘carbon neutral,’ an important component of the House Chief Administrative Officer’s plan to green the Capitol,” Congressman Kirk said. “By purchasing offset credits, we can mitigate the emissions generated by the Capitol Power Plant and the House’s massive electricity use. The House should set the standard for environmental responsibility – this amendment helps us reach that goal. As private organizations like the Chicago Climate Exchange step up to address the environmental needs of our nation, we know that they will receive the necessary support from the House.”
Yesterday, CAO Dan Beard released a report entitled Green the Capitol Initiative to recommend ways to limit the environmental impacts of the House of Representatives. Included among recommendations to reduce energy consumption and adopt renewable energy technologies, is the purchase of credits in the domestic market to offset the remaining emissions, as much as 24,000 tons of greenhouse gasses. After the implementation of CAO recommendations to reduce the carbon footprint, this would ensure the carbon neutral operation of the House.
The purchase of 24,000 tons of carbon at today’s market prices would cost approximately $95,000, including associated membership and trading fees.
“We are proud to welcome the participation of the United States House of Representatives in the CCX,” said Dr. Richard Sandor, Chairman and CEO of CCX. “It showcases the House’s Administrative Office foresight and leadership in the issue of global climate change. The U.S. House of Representative’s purchase of CCX Carbon Financial Instruments highlights the contribution that U.S. farmers, ranchers, foresters and other providers of renewable energy are having in the building of environmental and financial institutions that can cost-effectively help address environmental concerns for generations to come.”
“Rep. Kirk’s willingness to lend his support to the Green the Capitol initiative is another example of legislative leadership, one which we wholly embrace and welcome,” said Dan Beard, Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. “By allowing us to ‘offset’ our energy use, he has helped move us in the right direction on our path to a more ecologically friendly House.”
The amendment is included below.
Amendment to the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Bill, 2008
Offered by Mr. Kirk of Illinois
In the House Operations, Salaries Officers and Employees section of the report, insert:
Green the Capitol
The Committee believes it is important to offset greenhouse gases generated by the House. In that regard, the Committee requests the Chief Administrative Officer purchase Carbon Financial Instruments to offset carbon produced by all House operations. These offsets should be fully transparent, verified, American, project-based offset credits.
About the Chicago Climate Exchange
CCX operates the world’s first and North America’s only active voluntary, legally binding integrated trading system to reduce all six greenhouse gasses. It presents the opportunity to participate in an innovative, market-based solution to climate change.
CCX has over 300 members throughout the United States, with offset projects throughout the world. Members include DuPont, Ford, Baxter, Amtrak, universities such as Tufts and Michigan State, municipalities such as Oakland and Chicago, and U.S. Senator Lugar’s farm.
CCX is an Exempt Commercial Market as defined in Section 2(h)(3) of the Commodity Exchange Act and in part 36.3 of the regulations of the CFTC.
To provide full price transparency, all CCX offset projects are verified by professional third-party verifiers utilizing standardized protocols, and all member emissions are independently audited by the NASD, which was created by Congress in 1934 to provide regulatory oversight to the financial services industry.
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