Capitol’s trash to be burned for electricity

Capitol Hill will begin using a “waste-to-energy” process that will turn trash into electricity, the Architect of the Capitol (AoC) announced Thursday. 

“Beginning in November 2011, the AoC has contracted to use the process of ‘waste-to-energy,’ ” AoC Stephen Ayers said in a statement.

{mosads}“Waste-to-energy refers to the burning of solid wastes to generate heat and, in turn, produce steam and electricity,” the statement said. “This process creates usable energy employing waste that would otherwise be placed in landfills — diverting up to 90 percent of the Capitol campus’s non-recyclable solid waste.”

The new process is designed to complement the AoC’s recycling programs.

In August, the AoC announced it would assume responsibility for and expand House sustainability initiatives formerly conducted by the chief administrative officer, including the Green the Capitol program instituted by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). 

Republicans began phasing out the program when they won the House majority, including the controversial introduction of polystyrene containers in congressional cafeterias.

“Saving energy saves money, and consolidating our sustainability programs helps save taxpayer dollars by improving efficiencies and allows us to make smart and sound investments throughout the Capitol complex,” wrote Ayers of that transition in a press release in August.

The Republican chairman of the Committee on House Administration, Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), praised the AoC’s “waste-to-energy” initiative. 

“I am pleased that, after consultation with the Committee and thorough analyses, the AoC has entered into a new waste removal contract that will divert the majority of Congress’ solid waste from local landfills and save taxpayers thousands annually,” wrote Lungren in a statement Thursday.

“Waste-to-energy facilities, woefully underutilized here in the U.S., are an environmentally efficient, cost-effective means to reduce greenhouse emissions and divert waste from landfills,” he added, noting that the contract will help divert up to 90 percent of the Capitol complex’s non-recyclable solid waste from landfills.

According to the statement, the decision was based on an analysis conducted by AoC’s Office of Energy and Sustainability.    

“When compared to composting, waste-to-energy is a more cost-effective alternative that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, produces electricity ‘with less environmental impact than almost any other sources of electricity,’ ” the statement added.

“We appreciate the support of the Committee on House Administration for this initiative,” noted Ayers’ statement Thursday. 

“In Fiscal Year 2010, more than 5,300 tons of waste was collected from Congressional facilities,” he added. “Under this new contract, instead of being placed in landfills, the waste will be burned, generating enough electricity to power an office building the size of the Dirksen or Longworth Building for several months.”