Congress Passes Energy Efficient Server Initiative

Krishna Dagli writes to mention a News.com article about a just-passed Congressional initiative. On Wednesday the House passed legislation instructing Americans to make energy efficiency a priority when purchasing computer servers. From the article: "Washington politicians voted 417-4 on Wednesday to tell American purchasing managers that it's in their 'best interests' to pay attention to energy conservation. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican, also directs the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a three-month study 'of the growth trends associated with data centers and the utilization of servers in the federal government and private sector.'" Well, at least if they're doing this they're not passing 'real' laws, right?

OMG think of the repercussions

[Fr05t]

"...purchasing managers that it's in their 'best interests' to pay attention to energy conservation."

Congress asking managers to use "common sense" (the next buzz word I bet)??? Hopefully this doesn't catch on because I'm sure the 4 horsemen surely can't be far behind!

Re:I'm all for being an earth concious consumer...

[kjorn]

Why don't they start pushing to have government offices 50% reliant upon solar (or other green power) by 10 years from now?

Better yet, powered by hot air?

Whoa there, Godfather

[geekbomb]

"it's in their 'best interests' to pay attention to energy conservation"

Also, I'd avoid buying any aluminum tubes for hobby projects for awhile. THEY'VE GOT THEIR EYE ON YOU, AMERICAN PURCHASING MANAGERS.

Re:What about cars?!?

[Opportunist]

I lost it at the pump, had to trade it in to fill my US-built SUV.

Re:Also in the initiative....

[whitehatlurker]

Debate was intense when an amendment was attached which would have advocated eating all your vegetables. Several representatives decried what they claimed was "unwarranted influence peddling to the vegetable lobbyists" and a filibuster was mounted around the theme of "I don't wanna eat my broccoli" and "you can't make me! you can't!". Even an amendment which would permit the consumption of dessert after all vegetables had been consumed was met with disdain, and finally the amendment was blocked in its entirety.

Hey, look - they could actively be screwing things up royally. This distracts them from causing real harm and provides /. with a reasonably close to on-topic story on what promises to be a slow day.

Drink plenty of fluids and watch your electrolytes. ... whl

Re:Just two questions...

[geekoid]

Name one country with our size and population that is more green.

"Our government needs to stand up for the environment, ..."
And how does one tell where and how it needs to begin applying efforts to become more green?
Hm, if only they could authorize a study to tackle each of theses issues. oh wait, thats what this is.

You think that there can be a mandate that says,,"oh, now be green everyone" and it will happen.

People like you cause needless unrest.