Green Transportation Expo, October 25, 2007

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer

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Why an Expo?

We've said it before, but it's worth repeating. We can't Green the Capitol alone. We need everyone's help. There are lots of planned operational changes that won't happen overnight. But we aren't just planning on going green. There are lots of things we are doing right now. Like asking you to be a part of this exciting mission.

The decision to have a Green Expo comes from the belief that making the House a more environmentally-friendly place isn't confined to spreadsheets and energy audits. Raising green awareness among House employees is also an important part of the Green the Capitol Office's mission.

For the first Green Expo, we decided to focus on transportation for a variety of reasons. Perhaps most obvious is the issue's universality. We all have to get to work somehow. Pain at the gas pumps has a lot of us thinking about alternative modes of transportation. House employees, like many Americans, are asking themselves some questions like: What kind of fuel efficient or hybrid vehicles are out there? Is it possible for me to take the Metro or the train to work a couple of days a week? Is biking to work feasible? Are there ways to commute that save money, reduce stress and are good for the environment?

At the Green “Transportation” Expo you may not find the answers to all of your “green” questions. But we do hope it provides a forum to begin to think about how to lessen your individual impact on the environment. We hope that by coming to our event, you learn from area bike shops about how affordable and fun bikes can be, about how many great riding trails are in DC and about how biking to work isn't as hard as you think. We hope you'll spend some time talking to some of the major automotive manufacturers about their hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and learn that these cars are no longer science fiction, but available in local showrooms now. Maybe you'll discover that MARC and VRE commuter trains are less stressful ways to get to the Capitol. Or find out that for short trips to the corner store, Segways are the perfect new urban vehicle.

But most of all, we hope you'll learn about each other. We hope you will meet other environmentally concerned House employees like yourself. Maybe a biking partner to ride to work with. Or someone who drives a hybrid from your town and is looking to start a car pool. Or someone, like you, who is looking for ways to reduce your family's “carbon footprint.”

On October 25, the Green Expo isn't just an excuse to get out of the office. It's a very compelling reason to start going green at work. Come on by. Ride a Segway. Look at what a $100,000 electric roadster looks like. Have your officemates take your picture sitting in it. But most of all, learn how to green your commute and maybe even save some green in the process.

Sincerely,
Perry, Alli
Green the Capitol Office