Congressman John Campbell's Blog - Green Eyeshade Blog

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Posted by: John Campbell at 4:10 PM

Soon the Capitol Dome may have new lights. Speaker Pelosi’s Green the Capitol initiative has been the subject of much debate among spending advocates and Members of Congress, and the Capitol Dome illumination plan is no exception.

The “Green the Capitol Initiative” is part of Speaker Pelosi’s environmental policy which includes increased usage of recycled paper, and carbon offset purchases for the House’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Green the Capitol includes an update of the lighting system that illuminates the Capitol Dome at night time. The contract chosen by the House Administration Committee, worth $671,900 (not including installation), was steered to Rep. Robert Brady’s (D-PA) district - despite receiving other less expensive bids. As an aside, Mr. Brady is chairman of the House Administration Committee.

I agree that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment, but it must be done in a consistent manner. Dan Beard, The House Chief Administrative Officer, said of this new lighting project: “We’re not going to drastically cut our energy consumption…” If Speaker Pelosi would like to upgrade the Capitol’s lighting system at such an exuberant cost, why doesn’t she just come out and say it?

Furthermore, it would take more than 45 years to recoup the money spent on the new “energy efficient” systems design.

My question is this, if it is not going to significantly cut energy consumption, and it will actually cost more money in the long run, what is the goal of such a extensive and costly overhaul?

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not ashamed to be right writes:	Wednesday, April, 02, 2008 5:46 PM
The goal?
Nothing more than placating, as Rush Limbaugh would say, the environmental whackos. And the public/media adoration she receives as a result of sounding good. I wonder how "green" her various businesses are, especially when it comes to her private money having to pay for it. This would be worth investigating. As usual, "it's the government's money" is always an easy fix for too many Democrats and RINO Republicans.
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Rick writes:	Wednesday, April, 02, 2008 7:09 PM
Quick edit!
You wrote, "The House Chief Administrative Officer, said of this new lighting project: 'We’re not going to drastically cut our energy consumption…'" My edit would have read, "The House Chief Administrative Officer said of this new lighting project, 'We’re not going to cut our energy consumption drastically…'" Your version splits the infinitive.
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Rick writes:	Wednesday, April, 02, 2008 7:10 PM
Quick edit - strike two.
At least you're consitent! You wrote, "My question is this, if it is not going to significantly cut energy consumption," My edit would have read, "My question is this, if it is not going to cut energy consumption significantly,"
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crescen7 writes:	Thursday, April, 03, 2008 9:12 AM
Not Environmentalism - Just Plain Graft
This $675,000 wasn't spent on lighting. It was spent to "design" lighting. The actual lighting will undoubtedly cost millions making the "payback" period, if any reasonable interest rate is calculated, infinite. This is nothing more than old fashion graft, and of course, corruption.
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Chuck writes:	Thursday, April, 03, 2008 6:59 PM
Anyone but me
Has anyone noticed that since Nancy P stood at that Podium and told the World that THERE IS A NEW CONGRESS IN TOWN this country has went into the sh#tter. We all know by now that Congress runs this country and who isd in charge THE DO NOTHING DEM LED CONGRESS Lets see Welfare broke SS Broke Gas prices out the arse home going under traxes going crazy the largest PORK spending in history 17B Sports Heros being investigated for what steriod use, who cares its entertainment Made Illegals richer by passing the MINIMUM WAGE HIKE Still no border security Truckers going on strike I no that all LIBS on here blame Bush and has BDS but I think after these laast couple of years we damn sure know that THIS DO NOTHING DEM LED CONGRESS are a BUNCH OF SOCIALIST.
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Mr M Coupe writes:	Thursday, April, 03, 2008 9:34 PM
Where to put the Low-E bulbs
I'd like to suggest where Nancy P can screw her Low-E bulbs, but that wouldn't polite.
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Michigan Man writes:	Friday, April, 04, 2008 8:37 AM
Carbon offsets
"...and carbon offset purchases for the House’s greenhouse gas emissions." I was reading this and was struck by how stupid the term "carbon offsets" sounds. Amazing how many people are falling for this stuff.
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Mr M Coupe writes:	Friday, April, 04, 2008 9:09 PM
A little factoid
The UN stated today the earth's temperature has not risen in the last ten years. In fact, the average temperature of the earth has gone down. And if the trend continues, for two more years, the last one hundred years of increase will be completely reversed. Now, if we could only get Al Gore to keep his mouth shut, the rest of the remaining greenhouse gases will be totally eliminated.
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Harry writes:	Friday, April, 04, 2008 10:02 PM
Rducing Taxes and Rep.Campbell
I have an idea for reducing taxes as a follow up to the good Representatives ideas. Lets immediately end that stupId useless un American war in Iraq and we can save over $500,000,000,000 in taxes/American treasure that is going down the trash can via the illegal war against Iraq!! That is how we all can save taxes BIG TIME. Lets see what the fake conservative Republicans have to say about their fake tax savings. In fact you guys do not mind "BIG GOVERNEMENT " AT all.... as long as your "Nanny BIG government" throws as much money/taxes at the wasteful "Industrial military complex" that YOUR Republican Eisenhower even warned you all against!! Fake Repyblicans....against big government....Pray tell.... please explain how REPUBLICAN Reagan and Bush....gave us the largest DEFICIT in AMERICAN....HISTORY???? Since you all claim to be against "BIG GOVERNEMNT".... Talk is cheap until YOU ALL WALK THE WALK!!! Sorry....Obama will be in the White House next year...due to YOUR HYPOCRISY!! In other words YOU LOSE!!! Harry
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About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.