H.Con.Res.25 (117th Congress)

by Joe Neguse

117th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. CON. RES. 25

Encouraging the Architect of the Capitol to transition to the exclusive use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources to power the United States Capitol Complex by 2032.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 26, 2021

Mr. Neguse (for himself, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Huffman) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Encouraging the Architect of the Capitol to transition to the exclusive use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources to power the United States Capitol Complex by 2032.

Whereas according to the 2018 National Climate Assessment, without substantial and sustained global mitigation and regional adaption efforts, climate change is expected to cause growing losses to American infrastructure and property and impede the rate of economic growth over this century;

Whereas according to the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5° Celsius, to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change, the world must limit the warming of the global average temperature to 1.5° Celsius above preindustrial levels;

Whereas according to the IPCC, reaching and sustaining net zero global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions is necessary for halting anthropogenic global warming;

Whereas according to the IPCC, in order to limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius above preindustrial levels, the world must achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which will require rapid, dramatic changes in how governments, industries, and societies function;

Whereas the IPCC has reported that in comparison to global warming of 1.5° Celsius, global warming of 2° Celsius will result in a greater number of severe heat waves, more extreme storms, increased poverty, and the degradation of critical ecosystems;

Whereas climate change impacts will be felt disproportionately by communities of color and low-income communities;

Whereas to address the urgent need to limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius, the IPCC has recommended increasing installation of renewable energy systems, with a goal of such systems generating 70 to 80 percent of global electricity by 2050;

Whereas investing in the clean energy economy, with strong labor and procurement standards, will create quality jobs;

Whereas according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2020 was the warmest year on record globally;

Whereas the world’s cities occupy 2 percent of global land mass, but are responsible for up to 70 percent of harmful greenhouse gas emissions;

Whereas more than 350 mayors in the United States have adopted the Paris Agreement goals for their cities, including Washington, DC;

Whereas in the fight against climate change, cities and counties have become important leaders because of their role as laboratories, incubators, and implementers of climate solutions;

Whereas, on January 18, 2019, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the CleanEnergy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018, which mandates that, by 2032, 100 percent of the electricity sold at retail in the District be derived from renewable energy sources, and also includes an ambitious building performance standard; and

Whereas it is critical that Congress leads by example for American cities, communities, and people, by committing to renewable energy to combat climate change: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

---

SECTION 1. ENCOURAGING TRANSITION TO EXCLUSIVE USE OF ELECTRICITY DERIVED FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL COMPLEX.

(a) Transition.—In order to address climate change, and in keeping with the recommendations of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and consistent with the Building Energy Performance Standard Program of the District of Columbia, Congress encourages the Architect of the Capitol to transition to the exclusive use of electricity derived from renewable energy sources to power the United States Capitol Complex by 2032.

(b) Definition.—In this section, the term “United States Capitol Complex” means the Capitol buildings (as defined in section 5101 of title 40, United States Code) and the United States Capitol Grounds (as described in section 5102 of such title).