Kirk Amendment Calls for House to Offset All Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Press Release

Kirk Amendment Calls for House to Offset All Greenhouse Gas Emissions

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced that the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment today that will require the U.S. House of Representatives to offset all carbon dioxide emissions through the world's first and North America's only greenhouse gas trading system. The amendment to the 2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill 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.

"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," Congressman Kirk said. "From the Capitol Power Plant to the House's massive electricity consumption, we have the responsibility to act in an environmentally-conscious manner. By joining the Chicago Climate Exchange, we will ensure that the House sets the standard for environmental responsibility. This amendment also reiterates the importance that Chicago plays as the leading center of carbon trading, an industry sure to flourish in the coming years."

On April 19, CAO Dan Beard released a preliminary report entitled Green the Capitol Initiative to recommend ways to limit the environmental impacts of the House of Representatives. Included among recommendations is the purchase of credits in the domestic market to offset as much as 34,000 tons of greenhouse gasses emitted by the House. After the implementation of CAO recommendations to reduce energy consumption, including the adoption of renewable energy technologies, this would ensure the carbon neutral operation of the House.

The purchase of 34,000 tons of carbon at today's market prices would cost approximately $122,700, including associated membership and trading fees.

"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. The bill will be considered by the full House next week.

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