Economic and Other Implications of Switching from Coal to Natural Gas at the Capitol Power Plant and at Electricity-Generating Units Nationwide

Elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases--carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrous oxide, and several synthetic chemicals--in the atmosphere
resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels and other sources have
the potential to cause significant changes in the earth's climate.
These potential impacts include shifts in sea level and weather
patterns and could pose threats to coastal and other infrastructure.
Concerns about the potential impacts of climate change have led the
Congress to consider legislation that would place binding, nationwide
limits on greenhouse gas emissions, and the House of Representatives'
leadership has initiated efforts to decrease emissions attributable to
its operations. Nearly all of the greenhouse gas emissions from House
operations consist of carbon dioxide and are associated with
electricity purchased from utilities and the combustion of fossil fuels
in the Capitol Power Plant (CPP), which provides steam and chilled
water for heating and cooling the Capitol building and 23 surrounding
facilities. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) operates CPP.

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