WASHINGTON – Committee Chairman Dan Lungren, R-Calif., issued the following statement after a year-end review of Congress’ new waste-to-energy program showed significant progress over previous solid waste removal practices:

“As a result of bicameral participation, Congress has made huge strides to improve our environmental sustainability by diverting an estimated 5,000 tons of non-recyclable solid waste from local landfills and generating enough electricity to power approximately 250 homes each year.

“Through this initiative, the House has moved from taking the equivalent of one car off the road each year with its composting program to leading a collaborative effort that equates to the removal of an impressive 890 cars each year.

“I thank the Architect for his cooperation on this important campus-wide initiative, and I look forward to finding additional measures that increase our environmental sustainability.”

At the direction of the Committee on House Administration, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) entered into a new waste removal contract in October 2011 to divert the Capitol Complex’s non-recyclable solid waste from local landfills through the utilization of local waste-to-energy facilities.