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#
Follow Green the Capitol on Twitter and Facebook
Twitter: @greenthecapitolFacebook: “Green the Capitol” Fan PageWeb: http://cao.house.gov/greenthecapitol
Email: [email protected]: (202) 225-0892
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