2 U.S.C. § 2162 (THE CONGRESS)
§ 2162. Capitol Power Plant
(a) Designation
The heating, lighting, and power plant constructed under the terms of the Act approved April 28, 1904 (33 Stat. 479, chapter 1762) shall be known as the “Capitol Power Plant”.
(b) Definition
In this section, the term “carbon dioxide energy efficiency” means the quantity of electricity used to power equipment for carbon dioxide capture and storage or use.
(c) Feasibility study
The Architect of the Capitol shall conduct a feasibility study evaluating the available methods to capture, store, and use carbon dioxide emitted from the Capitol Power Plant as a result of burning fossil fuels. In carrying out the feasibility study, the Architect of the Capitol is encouraged to consult with individuals with expertise in carbon capture and storage or use, including experts with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and industry, as appropriate. The study shall consider—
(1) the availability of technologies to capture and store or use Capitol Power Plant carbon dioxide emissions;
(2) strategies to conserve energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions at the Capitol Power Plant; and
(3) other factors as determined by the Architect of the Capitol.
(d) Demonstration projects
(1) In general
If the feasibility study determines that a demonstration project to capture and store or use Capitol Power Plant carbon dioxide emissions is technologically feasible and economically justified (including direct and indirect economic and environmental benefits), the Architect of the Capitol may conduct 1 or more demonstration projects to capture and store or use carbon dioxide emitted from the Capitol Power Plant as a result of burning fossil fuels.
(2) Factors for consideration
In carrying out such demonstration projects, the Architect of the Capitol shall consider—
(A) the amount of Capitol Power Plant carbon dioxide emissions to be captured and stored or used;
(B) whether the proposed project is able to reduce air pollutants other than carbon dioxide;
(C) the carbon dioxide energy efficiency of the proposed project;
(D) whether the proposed project is able to use carbon dioxide emissions;
(E) whether the proposed project could be expanded to significantly increase the amount of Capitol Power Plant carbon dioxide emissions to be captured and stored or used;
(F) the potential environmental, energy, and educational benefits of demonstrating the capture and storage or use of carbon dioxide at the U.S. Capitol; and
(G) other factors as determined by the Architect of the Capitol.
(3) Terms and conditions
A demonstration project funded under this section shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the feasibility study and demonstration project $3,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
(Mar. 4, 1911, ch. 285, 36 Stat. 1414; Mar. 3, 1921, ch. 124, 41 Stat. 1291; Pub. L. 110–140, title V, § 505(2), Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1657.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Act approved April 28, 1904, referred to in subsec. (a), is act Apr. 28, 1904, ch. 1762, 33 Stat. 452, which provided, at 33 Stat. 479, an appropriation for the construction of a heating, lighting and power plant in connection with the office building for the House of Representatives to furnish the necessary heat, light, and power for the office building for the House of Representatives, the Capitol building, the Congressional Library building, and for such other public buildings erected after Apr. 28, 1904, on grounds adjacent to the Capitol grounds at the east of the Capitol building and facing the same.
heading: Codification
text: Section was classified to section 185 of former Title 40, prior to the enactment of Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works, by Pub. L. 107–217, § 1, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062.
Section is based on act Mar. 4, 1911, popularly known as the “Sundry Civil Appropriation Act, fiscal year 1912”. It followed an appropriation for the Capitol power plant.
heading: Amendments
text: 2007—Pub. L. 110–140 added text of section and struck out former text which read as follows: “The heating, lighting, and power plant constructed under the terms of the Act approved April 28, 1904, shall be known as the ‘Capitol power plant’; and all vacancies occurring in the force operating said plant and the substations in connection therewith shall be filled by the Architect of the Capitol with the approval of the commission in control of the House Office Building appointed under section 2001 of this title.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Change of Name
text: Change of name of Architect of the Capitol, functions abolished, transferred, etc., by prior acts, see Prior Provisions and Change of Name notes set out under former section 1801 of this title.
heading: Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of this title.
heading: Management and Operation of the Capitol Power Plant
text: Pub. L. 108–447, div. G, title I, § 1101, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3185, provided that:
“(a) Definition.—
In this section, the term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—
“(1) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives;
“(2) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
“(3) the House Office Building Commission.
“(b) Study of Contract With a Private Entity.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2004], the Comptroller General shall conduct a study and submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Architect of the Capitol a report that—
“(1) analyzes the costs, cost effectiveness, benefits, and feasibility of the Architect of the Capitol entering into a contract with a private entity for the management and operation of the Capitol Power Plant; and
“(2) makes a recommendation on whether the Architect of the Capitol should enter into such a contract.
“(c) Implementation Plan.—
If the Comptroller General makes a recommendation under subsection (b)(2) in favor of entering into a contract, the Architect of the Capitol shall submit an implementation plan for that contract to the appropriate congressional committees not later than the later of—
“(1) 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 2004]; or
“(2) the date of the completion of the West Refrigeration Plant.
“(d) Contract.—
Subject to the approval of the appropriate congressional committees, the Architect of the Capitol shall enter into a contract with a private entity for the management and operation of the Capitol Power Plant.
“(e) Effective Date.—
This section shall apply to fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter.”
heading: General Services Administration Coal Yard
text: Pub. L. 100–458, title I, Oct. 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 2170, provided: “That appropriations under this head [“Capitol Power Plant”] shall hereafter be available for maintenance, alterations, personal and other services, and for all other necessary expenses of the Government owned property, buildings and facilities located in Lot 803, Square 695, formerly known as the General Services Administration Coal Yard at 42 I Street, S.E., in the District of Columbia.”