By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

To mark Earth Day, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi introduced a plan to paint green the marble columns of the Capitol with energy efficiency and environmental initiatives. She calls it the “Green the Capitol Initiative.”

Pelosi’s plan involves 15 distinct steps to conserve energy and reduce waste, and is aimed specifically at congressional offices. Among Pelosi’s 15 measures are the use of compact florescent light bulbs, recycling used office items, and conserving electricity by powering off lights and computers while not in use. Additionally, Speaker Pelosi is encouraging the use of public transportation and the conservation of basic office supplies.

“The Capitol, which has always served as a beacon of freedom, is now a shining example of sustainability.” Pelosi said. She continued that the House has reduced its carbon emissions by 72 percent recently. She continued that if all Congressional offices adopt this plan, it will result in a savings of $1 million in energy costs and will cut energy consumption in the Capitol by nearly 10 percent.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oreg.), who Pelosi called “the main instigator” of the green plan, believes that Congress is setting a good example for the rest of the country. He said, “If we model the behavior we want the rest of America to follow, it has a profound effect.”

Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) said that one of the first things he did when coming into Congress was institute a recycling program in his offices. He grinned at the savings

“Just during the transition from the 110th to 111th Congress, Congress saved over 60,000 pounds of paper. Lujan joked with the Speaker, “I was going to bring an example of that, but I couldn’t forklift it in, just to give an example of what we’ve truly saved.”

Pelosi called it the moral responsibility of Congress. Her office is encouraging all members to adopt these “green” plans. “I think most members of the Congress are doing some of this,” but she could not give exact numbers on who has implemented all of these recommendations. “The Speakers office is doing all of this,” Pelosi said proudly of the recommendations.

By Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

Congressman Ben R. Lujan joins students from around the country at the Power Shift rally outside the Capitol. Lujan says that it is time to reach out to the Members of Congress to enact a new legislative approach to climate change.

Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) speaks to both Ellen Ratner and Christina Lovato (University of New Mexico, Journalism Program) after the State of the Union Address. Lujan says that he [Obama] spoke to them not just as Congress but as those the American people trusted to do the work entrusted to them. Every action we take, Lujan says, is important to the American people. Lujan then spoke to Christian Lovato, saying he knows that times can be tough, but [we will] make sure they [Amercians] get a quality education. “We all love our country,” he said. Lujan also spoke about small businesses, saying if we’re able to address the health care issue, we’re going to help small businesses, which he says are “the backbone of our country.” (5:14)