# Presentation: 544016

## The Green the Capitol Initiative: Sustainability and Energy Efficiency at the U.S. House of Representatives

**The Green the Capitol Initiative: Sustainability and Energy Efficiency at the U.S. House of Representatives**

- By
**Christopher Payne, **Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- and
**Grant Scherling, **Executive Director of Green the Capitol

## Slide 2

## Operations Data

- 6.1 million square feet
- Oldest building – 1793
- Newest building – 1965
- 10,000 employees
- 1.2 million visitors/year
- 2.7 people served/year
- $1.2 billion annual budget

## House-attributable CO2 emissions: 92,000 Tons per year

## Energy Expenditures and CO2 Emissions

- Energy Expenditures and CO2 Emissions

## Operate the House in a carbon neutral manner by the end of the 110th Congress
Reduce the House’s carbon footprint by cutting energy consumption by 50% in 10 years
Make House operations a model of sustainability

- Reduce the House’s carbon footprint by cutting energy consumption by 50% in 10 years
- Make House operations a model of sustainability

- Green the Capitol Goals

## Goal #1: Carbon Neutrality

## Goal #1: Carbon Neutrality

- Purchase Renewable Power for Electricity Use
- Operate the House’s portion of the Capitol Power Plant with natural gas
- Purchase carbon offsets from the Chicago Climate Exchange

## Goal #2: Energy Use and Emissions Reduction

## Install energy efficient lighting
Update HVAC equipment/practices
Make computer rooms and servers more energy efficient
Update electronics and office equipment and operating practices
Improve steam and chilled water production and distribution at the Capitol Power Plant.

- Update HVAC equipment/practices
- Make computer rooms and servers more energy efficient
- Update electronics and office equipment and operating practices
- Improve steam and chilled water production and distribution at the Capitol Power Plant.

- Goal #2: Energy Use and Emissions Reduction

## Update the House food service system to include sustainable practices: composting, buying organic and local food, eliminating Styrofoam and plastic 
Divert 50% of the building occupant waste stream through composting and improved recycling 
Procure 100% postconsumer recycled content paper - saving 29,400 trees annually

Reduce water consumption and improve landscape management

Promote greening initiatives and increase awareness through partnerships with the Senate, universities, businesses, and local, state, and international governments

Implement Bike to Work and Car-sharing programs 

- Divert 50% of the building occupant waste stream through composting and improved recycling
- Procure 100% postconsumer recycled content paper - saving 29,400 trees annually
- Reduce water consumption and improve landscape management
- Promote greening initiatives and increase awareness through partnerships with the Senate, universities, businesses, and local, state, and international governments
- Implement Bike to Work and Car-sharing programs

- Goal #3: Sustainability Model

## Case Study

*Replace 10,000 light bulbs in desk lamps with CFLs*
- Analysis performed in cooperation with the Office of the Inspector General of the United States House of Representatives, January 2008

*Pay back Period = .51 years*
*Net Present Value = $1.16 million over 10 year period*
*Savings to Investment Ration (SIR) = 139:1*
*Internal Rate of Return = 209%*
*Environmental Equivalent Savings*
*859,600 lbs. annual CO2 reduction*
*75 equivalent cars removed for a year*

## A Sustainable Initiative

- Means and Measurement will track technical and quantitative metrics of energy and water use
- Performance Tracking System will track qualitative and quantitative metrics of the Green the Capitol Initiative
- Both tracking systems will ensure the achievement of Initiative goals.

## Question and Answer

## Capitol Dome Re-lighting

- 	Dome - March 1861	Dome - Today

## Means and Measurement Strategy

- Implement Performance Tracking System to  track benchmarks monthly on energy use and CO2-e emissions** **
- Pursue an optimal mix of lifecycle cost effective investments in energy reduction and CO2-e emissions
- Integrate “Green and sustainability preferred choices” into all business processes with special consideration towards procurement

## Performance Tracking System

- Key aspects should include correlating the impact of implementing a recommendation to achievement of goals
- Examples:
- An X % conversion to energy efficient lighting results in X Btu’s reduction in energy consumption
- X of MTCDE and Y dollars saved
- Establishing verifiable conversion methodologies for translating energy, waste and water reductions, purchasing practices and transportation changes into greenhouse gas emission reductions, financial savings and other environmental benefits

## Output Metrics

- Definition: These types of indicators quantify the results for the analytical model
- Examples: CO2-e emissions (MTCDE), Electricity Savings (MWh), Thermal Savings (Btu’s), Water Conservation (GPM), Waste Water Reduction (GPM), Waste Stream (Landfill - $/ton, Composting -  $/ton, Recycling - $/ton, and methane - MTCDE)
- Note: 1 ton methane sequestered is equivalent to 18.7 MTCDE
- Each metric will be tracked or linked back to its source
- True metrics follow indicators to the point of carbon sequestration

## Input Metrics

- Definition:  These types of indicators signal future events
- Examples: Measure inputs, such as percentage of lighting substituted to energy efficient alternatives, which drive energy consumption, carbon footprint, and the sustainability profile of House operations
- Always state assumptions with specific upper and lower bounds
- Consider all life cycle and supply chain cost components
- Examples: Purchase Costs, Transportation, Procurement, Labor Costs with Benefits, Product Life, Maintenance Costs, Future Replacement Costs, Disposal Costs, Energy Costs ($/kWh, Btu’s), Usage Hours, Discount Rates

## Cost Benefit Analysis

- Prioritize based upon industry best practices, including several factors, such as the contribution of each recommendation towards the greening goals, cost/level of effort, and ease/planning time needed to implement
- Examples:
- Pay back Period
- Net Present Value
- Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR)
- Internal Rate of Return
- Environmental Equivalent Savings
- Based upon the analytical models shown above we are developing a methodology for prioritizing the Report’s 133 recommendations

## Observations

- Input metrics should always be sourced to ensure that they are practical and to identify reporting mechanisms/processes
- Concise, clear, and defendable baselines should be articulated for each goal
- All initiatives should be cost competitive and functionality should be the same as or exceed current standards
- Always consider all lifecycle and supply chain costs
- Carbon can be used as a business measurement tool