Coal Will Fire Capitol Power Plant No More

Published May 01, 2009 @ 03:05PM PT

For years it's symbolized the immense clout of the Big Coal lobby. But that's about to change: the Capitol Power Plant, which heats and cools 23 federal buildings on or near Capitol Hill, will be shifting to natural gas as its primary fuel.

The two reasons: Cutting Congress' greenhouse gas pollution and thus its contributions to human-propelled global warming, and improving the (notoriously bad) air quality of largely African-Amerian Washington, D.C., which has a high rate of childhood asthma, and respiratory health complications in adults.

The move comes after a February request from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to shift the century-old plant's operations entirely to natural gas. Their letter was sent days before a protest at the plant organized to coincide with with the "PowerShift" gathering. This drew thousands of youth activists to D.C. for training in community organizing, and to lobby their senators and representatives to support clean energy and action to stop global warming. (Here's one student's very interesting account of her experience at PowerShift '09.)

Stephen Ayers, the Acting Architect of the Capitol, says coal will now be burned only as an emergency backup. When another boiler is converted to run natural gas, Ayers has informed Speaker Pelosi, coal use can be suspended completely. According to a letter Ayers has sent to the Speaker, the overhaul could be completed "as early as November 2010 and as late as October 2011" -- depending in part on whether Congress appropriates the needed funds, and how the permitting process goes.

The costs of continuing to burn coal for power and gasoline for transportation -- in human health, in increased global warming impact, and in weakening the nation's security -- are becoming central considerations in federal policy and actions. The changeover of the CPP away from coal is a potent symbol of how U.S. power politics may be shifting as well.

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Emily, I am absolutely shocked to hear that coal is still used at Our capitol. Although I am not totally anti coal, these people should be leading the way!

Posted by Charlie Reed on 05/01/2009 @ 04:51PM PT
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I live in West Virginia, and despite the (extremely poor and hazardous) lives and health of people in mine counties, most West Virginians still support big coal because it helped bring business and revenue to the area. Now, it's bringing health problems, undrinkable water, respiratory illness, and poverty. It is very important that more people, like Charlie above, are educated about things like this so that everyone understands how much coal harms our entire world.

See this link for what devastating effects this "business" has on residents of towns near and around mines: http://wesleyanargus.com/2009/04/08/death-by-coal-in-prenter-wv/

Posted by BF Keefer on 05/01/2009 @ 07:54PM PT
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Good news, for the environment,but our pocketbooks too. For various reasons natural gas costs 70% less this year than last.

Posted by Lee Dorsey on 05/01/2009 @ 10:38PM PT
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BF, I have been aware of the deleterious effects of burning coal, but I was not aware that the capitol was so far behind. Even My grandmother switched in toe 70s! Regards to not being totally against it, it's just not in My nature to try to stifle science. I hope their will always be people researching new, cleaner ways to mine and use coal. In the mean time though the capitol, of all places, should be leading the way to better technology.

Posted by Charlie Reed on 05/02/2009 @ 01:25PM PT
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word, dude. i sort of misread your original comment. i agree about the capitol. especially since they are sort of leading the new-wave of environmentally friendly ways to provide energy.

i wish this was a stance more openly taken by people who actually live in and around coal country/counties; as these are the people who can strike at the roots of this huge problem and help propel our society toward a cleaner future - for ourselves, each other, and the world at large. it's disheartening, especially, to see the exactly opposite sentiment coming from people who have experienced the horrible side effects of coal production first-hand.

Posted by BF Keefer on 05/02/2009 @ 11:46PM PT
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