WASHINGTON - Hundreds of demonstrators urged Congress to passlegislation to reduce greenhouse gases, and they targeted theCapitol power plant as a symbol of the problem.
An enthusiastic crowd of mostly young people marched from a parknear the Capitol Monday to the power plant several blocks away,where they planned to block entrances to the plant and were preparedto get arrested. The group chanted along the way, "We don't want theworld to boil, no coal, no oil!"
Despite attempts by lawmakers to clean up the power plant insoutheast Washington, it still burns coal and accounts for a thirdof the legislative branch's greenhouse gas emissions.
"We need to move rapidly for a clean energy future," said CharlieGarlow, of Silver spring, Md., who was dressed as a smokestack onMonday. The group met about a dozen counter-demonstrators who heldsigns reading: "Our economy runs on coal." The counter-demonstrators argued that coal is affordable and that renewablealternatives to coal-fired power plants won't meet a growing demand.
The Capitol power plant hasn't generated electricity since 1952,but it provides steam for heating and chilled water for coolingbuildings within the complex.
The protest on energy and climate came as Washington tried to digout from its largest snowfall of the season.
Organizers note that climate change causes more extreme weather,and they say the issue is important enough that people are willingto brave the cold.
"God has a sense of humor," said protester Rhody Streeter, ofLouisville, K.y., referring to the weather.
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