Is the Capitol Power Plant only providing steam now?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the operational status of the Capitol Power Plant, specifically whether it currently provides only steam and no longer supplies electricity. Participants explore the implications of a recent power outage at the U.S. Capitol and the need for evacuation during such incidents.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the necessity of evacuating the Capitol during a power failure, suggesting it may be safer to remain inside during storms.
  • Others question the lack of a backup power system for the Capitol, noting that losing power compromises security.
  • A participant mentions that the Capitol Power Plant began providing electricity in 1910 but now only provides steam and chilled water, raising questions about its current capabilities.
  • There is speculation about the reasons for the power outage, with some suggesting it could be related to external factors or operational issues with utility companies.
  • Several posts include humorous or off-topic remarks, indicating a casual tone among participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of evacuation procedures during power failures or the current operational status of the Capitol Power Plant. Multiple viewpoints are presented regarding safety protocols and the plant's capabilities.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the operational history of the Capitol Power Plant and its current role in providing electricity versus steam. The discussion includes assumptions about emergency procedures that are not fully clarified.

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Capitol was evacuated shortly after noon Monday after the building briefly lost power.

The building was reopened about an hour later after power was restored...

...a spokeswoman for Potomac Electric Power Co., said the electricity shut off automatically after there was "a momentary drop in voltage due to customer operations up the lines" away from the Capitol.

"The protective equipment sensed the significant change in voltage and tripped," she said.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/03/capitolevacuated.ap/index.html

So much for the balance of powers.
 
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I was irritated at politicians because they weren't doing what I told them to do. This was a warning to them, I hope they listen. I would hate to have to take it farther.
 
Why do they need to evacuate for a power failure? It seems it would be better to stay INSIDE when storms knocking out power are coming through, not to mention that you then have all those people spilling out to the sidewalks when traffic lights and crosswalk signs are out too. Or was the power out before the storms hit and they all just wanted a break to get out in the warm, sunny weather before the storms brought back the cold again?
 
Moonbear said:
Why do they need to evacuate for a power failure? It seems it would be better to stay INSIDE when storms knocking out power are coming through, not to mention that you then have all those people spilling out to the sidewalks when traffic lights and crosswalk signs are out too. Or was the power out before the storms hit and they all just wanted a break to get out in the warm, sunny weather before the storms brought back the cold again?

This was before the storms, Capitol building only, some utility technicians messed up.
 
No one noticed my pun?
 
Now I did. Nice job. Would you get rid of that annoying 2 at the end of your name?
 
cyrusabdollahi said:
Now I did. Nice job. Would you get rid of that annoying 2 at the end of your name?

I'll try!

(oops, wrong button...)
 
Where the hell is rachmoninoff?
 
As always, I'm on vacation. Some say I'm in college.
 
  • #10
According to him he was last seen in Baltimore. I guess he ventured into the bad part of town and got kidnapped by some crack dealers. I told him Baltimore was bad new, be he didn't listen.
 
  • #11
Wow, my new name is so cool! So much more brevious than the previous one. People might actually spell it right.
 
  • #12
I'm a little surprised it doesn't have a backup system - when the power goes, you lose your security.
 
  • #13
Moonbear said:
Why do they need to evacuate for a power failure? It seems it would be better to stay INSIDE when storms knocking out power are coming through, not to mention that you then have all those people spilling out to the sidewalks when traffic lights and crosswalk signs are out too. Or was the power out before the storms hit and they all just wanted a break to get out in the warm, sunny weather before the storms brought back the cold again?
Perhaps is standard emergency procedure incase the power issue is connected with some sort of attack on the building.
 
  • #14
cyrusabdollahi said:
According to him he was last seen in Baltimore. I guess he ventured into the bad part of town and got kidnapped by some crack dealers. I told him Baltimore was bad new, be he didn't listen.

Maybe he ventured to close to D.C. by mistake? Perhaps he succumbed to the dark side and became a politician.

I've hijacked my own thread. That's so sad. This reminds me of the news story, about the security guards who confiscated a swiss army knife from a 747 flight. The confiscee? The pilot of the 747. He too must have been planning to hijack himself.
 
  • #15
ok that's great,... so wheres ole rach anyone?
 
  • #16
cyrusabdollahi said:
ok that's great,... so wheres ole rach anyone?
Did you actually think that Rach2 was him?
I'm pretty sure that it's a certain person who seems to like playing with fake accounts.
 
  • #17
russ_watters said:
I'm a little surprised it doesn't have a backup system - when the power goes, you lose your security.
Seems even less secure to be standing out on the street, doesn't it? :confused: But, yeah, you'd think they'd have a back-up for a building like that.
 
  • #18
russ_watters said:
I'm a little surprised it doesn't have a backup system - when the power goes, you lose your security.

Interesting question.

What I find more interesting is the fact that it actually has its own power supply.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode02/usc_sec_02_00002162----000-.html


At least, that's what I read out of that.

If that's the case, then why is Potomac Electric Power Company providing comments on *why* the power might have gone out? Wouldn't a more appropriate comment be "What are you asking PEPCO for?"?
 
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  • #19
http://www.aoc.gov/cc/
The Capitol Power Plant began providing electricity in 1910; today, it provides steam for heating and chilled water for cooling buildings within the Capitol Complex.

So it no longer provides electricity, only steam?
 

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