Durbin Applauds Opening of E-85 Pump for the Capitol
Press Release
Durbin Applauds Opening of E-85 Pump for the Capitol
United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) applauded the opening of the first E-85 fuel pump on the Capitol complex today, more than two years after pressing for its construction. All flex-fuel vehicles - those able to run on both gasoline and ethanol - in Legislative Branch agencies' official fleets will be able to use the new fueling station as part of an effort to help reduce the Capitol complex's carbon footprint.
"By installing the first ethanol fuel pump on the Capitol complex we are putting our money where our mouth is and expanding our nation's use of renewable fuels like ethanol," said Durbin. "Renewable fuels provide us with a dependable domestic source of energy that reduces our reliance on foreign oil, helps with our overall fuel supply and enhances our security and economic future. It is important for Congress to lead by example and I'm happy that we now have one more way to do so."
There are currently over 500 vehicles under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Branch. Many existing legislative branch vehicles are already flex-fuel cars but have been unable to utilize this technology because fueling stations were not available.
Durbin has been a leader in efforts to "green" the Capitol complex. In addition to pushing for the addition of the E-85 fuel pump, Durbin has urged all Legislative Branch agencies to voluntarily conduct energy audits to help Congress assess the environmental impact of their energy use and propose improvements to the current system.
Durbin's own office was one of the first in the Senate to join a pilot program to reduce his office's energy consumption. The Senator's offices have been updated by installing modernized, energy efficient lighting and occupancy sensors resulting in a substantial decrease in electrical usage. Durbin's office was also the first in the Senate to install a "bottleless water cooler," which filters and chills tap water rather than requiring the use of 5-gallon water bottles. The system reduces bottle waste and is more economical than traditional systems.
In addition to being the Assistant Senate Majority Leader, Durbin is a member of the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.
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