Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference

Daniel P. BeardChief Administrative Officer

U.S. House of Representatives

November 16, 2009

"The House of Representatives must

lead by example, and it is time for Congress to act

on its own carbon footprint.”

-Speaker Nancy Pelosi

6 million square feet7,000 employees in DC; 3,000+ across country Historical and architectural preservation for a national emblemUnique organizational challenges

“Fish Bowl” effect

Time and available resources

Challenges

Switched the Capitol Power Plant from coal to natural gasPurchased wind RECs for 100% of House electricityCreated sustainable food service operationsInstalled meters and established metricsDeveloped behavioral change engagement platform for House building occupants

In 2007, the House ushered in fully compostable plates, utensils, cups and glasses.All Styrofoam® and plastic food service items replaced.Created “Compostable” Category to compost food, cups, plates, napkins, utensils and carryout containers provided in the House eateries.

Behavior in the Cafeteria: Sustainable Food Services

The pulper extracts the water from the food, reducing the weight and volume of the waste.In 2008, over 400 tons were diverted from waste to compost.

Waste Management: Pulping

Replaced plastic water bottles sold at the House with fully compostable bottles.House sells 100,000 bottles per year.Created green jobs.

Waste Management: Replacing Traditional Water Bottles

“Smart Benefits”ProgramZipcarProgramFirst all-electric vehicleHybrid truck fleet

Changing Approach to Transportation and Commuting

nergy Savings Performance Contract underway for additional savings:

nergy-efficient lighting upgrades

VAC and controls upgrades

ater conservation / fixture upgrades

Benefits:

nnual water savings of 46 million gallons

3.2 million annual utility cost savings

2006 House Energy Consumption Baseline: Roughly 720,000 MMBtus

Required savings needed by 2017:50%

Energy conservation projects already undertaken include:

HVAC upgrades; Over 90 Member Office servers consolidated; 12,000 CFL bulbs installed; and more

Building occupant behavior change is critical

User Awareness: Filling the Energy Gap

FY 2017 Usage360,000 mmbtu's

50%

Prior actions, 110,000 mmbtu's

15%

ESPC, 134,000mmbtu's

19%

Capital Improvements1%

Emerging Technologies2%

User Awareness5%

Retro Commissioning3%

Facility Maintenance Upgrades

5%

FY 2017 Energy Usage and Savings

Assist House offices and District Offices in implementing their own sustainability measuresAllow offices to track their impact on the House’s overall reduction in energy and carbon through the My Green Office websiteOver 100 CAO employees trainedOver 182 consultations completed to date

441 Member, 24 Committee, and 9 Leadership Offices

Legislative Agencies: Chief Administrative Office, Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Architect of the Capitol, Capitol Police, Library of Congress

District Offices900+ District Offices across the country

I. ALREADY GREEN ACTIONS

1. Use Green Seal paint exclusively

2. Install carpet with low/no VOCs

3. Reuse existing furniture

4. Install only ENERGY STAR refrigerators

5. Use solar shades and curtain swags

“Already Green” Actions

1. Designate a Green Office Representative2. Recycle Paper3. Recycle Bottles, Cans, Plastics4. Compost5. Recycled Content Paper6. Reduce Publication Subscriptions7. Light Switches8. Transportation Benefits9. Computer Power Management10. Smart Power Strips11. Double-sided printing12. EPEAT Computer Equipment13. ENERGY STAR appliances14. Occupancy Sensors15. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Core 15 Greening Actions

Stretch actions are secondary actions that represent taking the next step towards greening a Member office. 

1.ENERGY SAVING ACTIONS

2.GREEN PROCUREMENT ACTIONS

3.OUTREACH ACTIONS

4.TRANSPORTATION ACTIONS

5.WASTE REDUCING ACTIONS

6.WATER CONSERVING ACTIONS

Stretch Greening Actions

Total Electricity saved: 142,691 kWh Total Landfill waste saved: 59,140 lbs. Total Carbon (CO2E) reduced: 315,969 lbs. Total no. of offices signed up: 182Total no. of staff now working in a green office: over 3,000

My Green Office Savings To Date

Public Demonstration Site:

http://stage.greenthecapitol.icfi.com

Username: Demouser1Password: Demouser1#

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Twitter: @greenthecapitolFacebook: “Green the Capitol” Fan PageWeb: http://cao.house.gov/greenthecapitol

Email: gtc@mail.house.govPhone: (202) 225-0892

Contacts