As part of an ongoing greening plan, the U.S. Capitol is buying $89,000 worth of carbon credits to offset the 30,000 tons of greenhouse gases emitted annually by the antiquated coal plant that provides it with power. The Government Accountability Office plans to publish a review of the carbon-offset industry in April; some members of Congress asked House Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Beard, who will cut the offset check to the Chicago Climate Exchange, to hold off until the GAO report is published. Beard chose to go ahead, but also says that shutting down the coal plant is a priority — although coal-state lawmakers are sure to fight for it to stay.
