WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) -- United States Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) has been a strong supporter of the use of coal to heat buildings at the Capitol through the Capitol Power Plant.

However, last week, Byrd indicated he is supportive of a suggestion from Democratic leadership in the House to direct the CPP to use more natural gas.

Several D.C. publications indicate that thousands of people are expected in Washington to protest the use of coal at the CPP. The Washington Post indicates the plant still burns about 35% coal and that is a leading contributor of air pollutants in the D.C. area.

Last Thursday, House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote to the Architect of the Capitol to ask the office to explore ways to convert the plant to natural gas.

Byrd said he initially implored the use of carbon capture technologies at the plant, which would have made the coal burning cleaner. However, after it was determined that carbon capture wasn't an option at the CPP due to location, Byrd threw his public support behind the natural gas option.

“In that regard, I support the suggestions by Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid to have the Acting Architect of the Capitol identify ways to possibly retrofit the CPP if deemed possible. The AOC is also in the process of completing a study, due out this summer, that will address the on-going needs of the Capitol Power Plant. I await the completion of this report as well.”

Senator Byrd said it is regrettable that more hasn't been done to develop clean coal technology over the last three decades.

"I am very grateful that, working with other Members, I was able to include an unprecedented $3.4 billion in the recently passed stimulus bill for carbon capture and sequestration program to help provide a future for coal. This is a very positive first step, and the federal government, states and private sector need to work together more closely. I urge the leadership of the House and the Senate to join me and President Obama, as he indicated in his speech on Tuesday night, in aggressively supporting additional efforts to continue to fund the research, development, demonstration and deployment of carbon capture and clean coal technology programs.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) indicated through the Washington Post report Sunday he would like to find ways to burn coal more cleanly at the plant.