Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) introduced a bill on Thursday to authorize project demonstrations aimed at cutting energy consumption and cost in the House.

[IMGCAP(1)]The bill would authorize $5 million for the Chief Administrative Office to launch a pilot program promoting the use of innovative technologies aimed at “greening” the House. Specific demonstration projects would be proposed and picked by the CAO, but any projects expected to save cost or energy could qualify under the bill.

“This legislation will allow the House of Representatives to be a model in using cutting-edge technology for clean energy,” Wamp, co-chairman of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, said in a statement.

Wamp noted that pilot programs testing alternative energy sources have been successful in parts of his home state of Tennessee and stressed the importance of being open to the many options in attempting to lower energy consumption.

“I’m for an all-of-the-above approach to leading the world on energy solutions,” he said.

Fellowship of the Clerks. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) introduced another bill Thursday — this time with Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) — to create a Congressional clerkship program for recent law school graduates.

The Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act would authorize Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the House Administration Committee to each select six Congressional clerks for yearlong terms in their respective branches.

The clerkship is named after former Sen. Daniel Webster, who represented New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the House and Senate for a combined 15 years. A practicing attorney known for his oratory skills, Webster also argued several landmark cases in front of the Supreme Court and was later appointed secretary of State.

The clerks, who would be distributed evenly between the majority and minority, would be paid a salary comparable to those received by first-year clerks serving the the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

“The Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program would allow some of the most gifted of our future leaders to serve in Congress,” Lofgren said in a statement. “Many of our nation’s greatest leaders served as law clerks early in their careers. This legislation would put Congress on par with both the Executive and Judicial Branches who already offer clerkships to exemplary young lawyers.”

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