House carbon-offset program scrutinized

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- An $89,000 carbon offset program initiated in the U.S. House of Representatives stirred debate over the controversial green initiative, officials said.

The Democrat-led House launched the program in November as part of a "Green the Capitol" initiative meant to cancel greenhouse gas emissions in Washington by funding reductions elsewhere, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Environmental groups said the move lacks "additionality," meaning the funding should target new programs otherwise not implemented.

"If you don't have additionality," said one consultant to companies receiving the offsets, "you know what you're getting. You're getting nothing."

The House purchased the offsets on the Chicago Climate Exchange and its managers countered the concerns saying, "we can't, as an exchange, trade hypothetical things."

Chief Administrative Officer for the House of Representatives Daniel P. Beard said the House requested the Chicago exchange withhold information on projects receiving the offsets to avoid potential for representatives earmarking legislation for their particular districts, the Post said.