# Presentation: 818754

## "The House must lead by example, and it is time for Congress to act on its own carbon footprint." 

- "The House must lead by example, and it is time for Congress to act on its own carbon footprint."
- -Speaker Nancy Pelosi,  April 19, 2007

- “Progress Toward a Carbon Neutral House of Representatives”

## The Road to Carbon Neutrality

- Purchased renewable wind power for 100% of electricity use

- Switched from coal to natural gas in Capitol Power Plant for House

- Purchased carbon credits to offset additional 30,000 tons of greenhouse gas

## Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)

- In the process of installing 30,000 energy efficient CFL bulbs
- CFL bulbs consume 75% less energy than traditional bulbs
- CFL’s pay for themselves in as little as five months

## Recycled paper

- House Office Supply Store sells only 100% post-consumer recycled paper
- This amounts to a savings of 29,400 grown trees
- Prevents 775,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions

## With the introduction of the new food service vendor,                                 , the House also ushered in fully compostable plates and utensils 

All Styrofoam® and plastic food service items have been replaced with biodegradable plates, utensils and packaging

- With the introduction of the new food service vendor,                                 , the House also ushered in fully compostable plates and utensils
- All Styrofoam® and plastic food service items have been replaced with biodegradable plates, utensils and packaging

- Banning of All Styrofoam® and Plastic

## House Recycling Program

- Created a category called “compostable” to recycle food, cups, plates, napkins, utensils and carryout containers provided in the House eateries

## Pulping

- The pulper extracts the water from the food, reducing the weight of the waste
- Pulping process makes waste 70% lighter and ready for composting
- Reduces waste stream by more than 50%

- Compostable waste is processed in the pulper

## Composting

- Once pulped, waste is taken to the compost facility where it’s turned into nutrient rich compost
- The process not only keeps tons of waste out of landfills, but it also creates a new, valuable soil product

- Less than three months later, the material is put through a machine which filters it so it can be used in soil

## Tons of waste diverted

- 118 tons of landfill waste has been diverted since the House began composting in December of 2007

## Prius hybrids are available in the Rayburn Garage for House employees
Over 150 accounts have been opened by employees
Each Zipcar is estimated to replace 20 privately owned vehicles

- Prius hybrids are available in the Rayburn Garage for House employees
- Over 150 accounts have been opened by employees
- Each Zipcar is estimated to replace 20 privately owned vehicles

## Computer center

- Consolidation of server environments will decrease energy consumption by 65%

##           Electric car

- First all-electric vehicle for House of Representatives
- Zero-emission vehicle

## Metro Smart Benefits Program

- Established Smart Benefits program with DC public transit
- Automatically loads benefits and reduces paper consumption
- Initiating metro station parking benefits

## Wheels 4 Wellness

- Plan to purchase 30 bicycles
- 	as part of the bicycle sharing
-  	program
- Will give employees an opportunity to exercise, to go shopping, grab a quick lunch or complete an errand during the day

**Notes:**
----Different Image----- one from video presentation disc---ask Jeff

## HVAC fact:

- Heating and cooling systems were modified to reduce energy consumption and runtimes by 14%

## Rayburn Building Duct sealing

- Duct leakage represents an enormous waste of energy, typically leaking 20-30% of the energy

- Large unintentional opening in the duct system (right) and potential duct opening (center)

## Duct Sealing

- Duct leakage flow went from over 1500 cubic feet per minute (cfm) to less than 300
- An 80% reduction

- Injecting the duct sealant in the exhaust ducts at the Rayburn HOB, March 2008.

## Low VOC Carpeting

- Mandated that all new carpet be low VOC (volatile organic compounds) and use low VOC glues
- Improves regional air-quality and health of employees

## Education/Outreach

- “Green Team”
- Allows employees from House Offices to volunteer and support green efforts

## Relighting the Dome

- Moving forward with plans to relight the Dome with energy-efficient lighting
- Will replace current lighting to bring up to par with other memorials

## “Today we say that the Capitol will be not just a shining symbol of our democracy, but a symbol of our commitment to the future.  Not only by the power of our ideas on energy independence, but by the power of our example, we hope to send a message to the world and to the country.”- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, June 21, 2007 

- “Today we say that the Capitol will be not just a shining symbol of our democracy, but a symbol of our commitment to the future.  Not only by the power of our ideas on energy independence, but by the power of our example, we hope to send a message to the world and to the country.”- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, June 21, 2007

- "Improving energy efficiency is the most effective first step that any organization can take to make a positive effect on the world we live in and that we leave to our children and grandchildren."
- -House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, April 19, 2007

- Image Source: AP