3

Preliminary Report 

Green the Capitol Initiative

Submitted to

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer

Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald

by 

Daniel P. Beard, Chief Administrative Officer

April 19, 2007

Executive Summary

Background

On March 1, 2007, you directed me to develop of a series of preliminary recommendations for

your review to reduce the environmental impacts associated with operation of the House building 

complex. As noted in your letter, the House of Representatives should demonstrate leadership to 

the nation by providing an environmentally responsible and healthy working environment for our

employees. In addition, the House complex should be a showcase for sustainability. “We cannot

ask the American people to address global warming and climate change issues,” you noted,

“without first carefully examining ways to reduce our own energy consumption and develop

sustainable workplace practices.”

Environmental responsibility is our duty to future generations. Now is the appropriate time to act

to reduce our energy consumption as well as our energy dependence. Congress should set the

highest standards for environmental stewardship and sustainable energy use. To accomplish this,

we will need to change the way we do business. A sustainable House Capitol complex should 

recognize the full environmental impact of our decisions on energy and water consumption,

materials use and the quality of our workplace. By taking these steps, we not only reduce the

impact of House operations on the environment, but also provide leadership by example.

As a result of your directive, I have undertaken a review of the House operating procedures with

respect to energy conservation, sustainability and related matters, and I offer the following 

preliminary recommendations to “Green the Capitol.” A more complete set of recommendations

will be forthcoming in my final report on June 30, 2007.
4

Carbon Footprint of the House Complex

Using figures developed by the Government Accountability Office, Lawrence Berkeley National

Laboratory estimated that the operation of the House complex is responsible for approximately 

91,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents) in fiscal year

2006. This is equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 17,200 cars. Electricity use

was the largest source of emissions, accounting for 63 percent of total carbon emissions. The

electricity purchased by the House (and other Legislative Branch agencies) is generated from

several sources: coal (53 percent), nuclear (37 percent), natural gas (7 percent), renewables (2 

percent) and fuel oil (1 percent). The Capitol Power Plant accounts for another 33 percent of

House greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels at the boilers to

generate steam to heat the buildings. The power plant’s boilers are fired using coal (for 49

percent of the output), natural gas (47 percent) and other sources. All other business-related 

activities (travel in owned and leased vehicles, operation of heavy machinery, release of volatile

organic compounds from paint, furniture refinishing, etc.) accounted for the remainder of the

House’s carbon dioxide emissions (4 percent).

Recommendations

Recommendation 1: Operate the House in a Carbon Neutral Manner. Climate change and global

warming are serious problems caused primarily by the introduction of carbon into the

atmosphere. One way the House can begin to address this problem is to work toward undertaking

our operations in a carbon neutral manner. This will mean taking steps to reduce the greenhouse

gas emissions our complex creates through its operations. Global warming is an international

problem, but there are steps we can take to provide leadership for solving these issues locally.

The most important step is to adopt a policy of making the operations of the House carbon 

neutral.

Accordingly, it is recommended the House operate in a carbon neutral manner at the earliest

possible date, but no later than the end of the 110th Congress. By implementing this

recommendation, we will be eliminating the impact of 91,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions

annually, which is the equivalent of taking 17,200 cars off the road each year.

Recommendation 2: Shift to 100 Percent Renewable Electric Power. The purchase of electricity

is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from the operations of the House. In order to 

achieve our goal of making our operations carbon neutral, my office, working with the Architect

of the Capitol, should negotiate to purchase 100 percent of our electricity needs (approximately

103,000 megawatt-hours per year) from renewable sources at the earliest possible date. The cost

of electric power generated from renewable sources can be up to 20 percent more than power

generated from traditional sources. This increase in cost will be offset over the long run by the

energy conservation actions I am recommending. By implementing this recommendation, we

will eliminate 57,000 tons of the total greenhouse gas emissions annually, or the equivalent of

removing 11,000 cars from the roads.

Recommendation 3: Aggressively Improve Energy Efficiency. There are a series of immediate

steps House offices can take to reduce energy use. I recommend we take the following actions:
5

a. Immediately convert 2,000 desk lamps in the House office buildings to compact

fluorescent lamps (CFL). In addition, within six months take the steps necessary to 

convert the remaining 10,000 desk lamps to CFLs. Replacing 12,000 CFLs is the

equivalent to removing 255 cars from the road, and it will yield a $245,000 savings in 

electric power costs to the House per year.

b. Direct the CAO and Architect of the Capitol to no longer purchase standard incandescent

replacement bulbs with funds made available by the House. Standard incandescent bulbs

consume four times the energy of compact fluorescents and it is time for the House to

eliminate their use.

c. Instruct the Architect to convert the overhead House ceiling lights to high efficiency 

lighting and controls at the earliest possible date. Such action has the potential to reduce

lighting energy from these sources by as much as 50 percent. This action will eliminate

7,130 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to 1,340 cars.

d. Promote energy efficiency among the 7,000 staff of the House by making CFLs available

at cost in the House office supply store. If all staff members installed just one CFL bulb 

for their own use, it would have a cumulative effect of removing 150 cars from the road.

e. Direct the Architect to expand their fluorescent lamp disposal program to include the

proper collection of used CFLs.

Recommendation 4: Adopt Sustainable Business Practices. Our office is a major purchaser of

products and services, and we should demonstrate leadership by making purchases that promote

sustainability. Therefore, I recommend the following actions:

a. Purchase only Energy Star or Federal Energy Management Program-designated products

where such designations are available. These products have been determined by the

appropriate Federal agencies to be life-cycle cost effective in normal operations and will

contribute significantly to reduced consumption of energy.

b. Purchase office equipment that is certified using the Electronic Product Environmental

Assessment Tool (EPEAT) system. This system helps evaluate, compare and select

electronic equipment based on its environmental attributes. EPEAT certified electronic

devices are low in heavy metals and high in recycled plastic content.

c. Give priority to the purchase of climate neutral products that offset the life cycle

contribution of greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, purchase only adhesive, sealants,

paints, coating, and carpets that emit very low quantities of volatile organic compounds.

Volatile organic compounds are major components affecting indoor air quality and they 

contribute to climate change.

d. Purchase only furnishings that contain recycled products or wood certified as sustainable

by the Sustainable Forests Initiative, the Forest Stewardship Council or similar programs.

Implementing this recommendation will make a small contribution toward insuring biodiverse forests for future generations.

e. Direct the Architect to finalize the installation of an Ethanol-85 tank, pump, and related 

infrastructure for the use of official vehicles within the next six months.
6

Recommendation 5: Continued Leadership on Sustainability Issues. It is important for Members

and staff to continue to provide leadership on climate change and sustainability issues. To assist

in maintaining this continuing commitment, I recommend the following actions:

a. Hold a “Green Expo” for House offices to demonstrate the latest in green products or

services available to offices from commercial vendors.

b. Establish a sustainability education program for House employees providing guidance on 

how employees can make a contribution to impacting climate change and sustainability at

home and in the work place.

c. Establish a “Green Revolving Fund” where revenues received from various sources will

be placed in a revolving fund to be used to undertake energy and water conservation 

initiatives that offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Recommendation 6: Offset to Insure Carbon Neutral Operations. It is likely that even by 

implementing all the recommendations outlined above, the House will not be operating in a

carbon neutral manner. As a result, we will have to develop a strategy for offsetting as much as

34,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions by either: (1) Purchasing offset credits in the domestic

market, or (2) Contributing a per ton payment, based on the current domestic market, of carbon

dioxide equivalents emitted by the Capitol Power Plant boilers and placing these funds in the

Green Revolving Fund to be used to directly mitigate the emissions. Since the domestic offset

market is in its infancy and lacks uniform standards, it is important the House carefully screen 

any offset purchases. Between now and June 30, I will undertake a review of possible

investments and determine their acceptability. If an acceptable offset cannot be secured,

depositing the offset monies in the Green Revolving Fund would provide us with an acceptable

alternative.

Conclusion

The recommendations in this report are only the first step in the process of creating a Green 

Capitol and more sustainable House operations. The final report scheduled for release on June 30

will introduce additional recommendations and provide a framework for guiding future

decisions. That framework will set benchmarks for existing energy use; establish meaningful and 

measurable goals for reducing energy and carbon; create timetables for implementing various

changes in operating conditions; and define measures for reporting progress on a regular basis.
7

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................... 3

Background................................................................................................................. 3

Carbon Footprint of the House Complex ..................................................................... 4

Recommendations....................................................................................................... 4

Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................... 7

KEY TERMS ..................................................................................................................... 8

1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................. 9

2. CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE HOUSE COMPLEX............................................................ 10

3. RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................. 19

3.1 Recommendation 1: Operate the House in a Carbon Neutral Manner. 19

3.2 Recommendation 2: Shift to 100 Percent Renewable Electric Power. 19

3.3 Recommendation 3: Aggressively Improve Energy Efficiency. 19

3.4 Recommendation 4: Adopt Sustainable Business Practices. 24

3.5 Recommendation 5: Continued Leadership on Sustainability Issues. 25

3.6 Recommendation 6: Offset to Insure Carbon Neutral Operations. 26

4. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 27
8

Key Terms

Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of one carbon and two 

oxygen atoms. It is often referred to by its formula CO2. It is present in the Earth's atmosphere at

a low concentration of approximately 0.04 percent and is an important greenhouse gas. The unit

we use in this report is tons of carbon dioxide.

Carbon neutral. Carbon neutral buildings are buildings that produce no net contribution to

carbon emissions. See Zero Energy Building below.

Carbon offset. A carbon offset is part of the process of reducing the net carbon emissions of an

individual or organization, either by their own actions, or through arrangements with a carbonoffset provider.

Cogeneration. Cogeneration, also called combined heat and power (CHP), is the use of a heat

engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat.

Energy security. Energy security, or the security of the energy supply, is a key component of

energy policy in many countries. Since all economic activity requires the use of energy 

resources, the continuing availability of energy at a price that protects economic growth is a

major concern of policy makers.

Global warming. Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the

Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades, and its projected continuation. The cause is

due to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from the combustion of carbon fuels,

and other “greenhouse gases.”

Renewable energy. Renewable energies derived from resources that are regenerative or for all

practical purposes cannot be depleted. For this reason, renewable energy sources are

fundamentally different from fossil fuels, and do not produce as many greenhouse gases and 

other pollutants as fossil fuel combustion.

Sustainability. Sustainability refers to activities that provide the best outcomes for the human

and natural environments, both now and into the indefinite future. One of the most cited

definitions has been given by the former Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland,

who defined sustainable development as development that “meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability 

relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human 

society, as well as the non-human environment.

Zero Energy Building. A zero energy building (ZEB) or “net zero energy building” is a general

term applied to a building with a net energy consumption of zero over a typical year. This

consumption can be measured in different ways, relating to cost, energy or carbon emissions.
9

1. Background

On March 1, 2007, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, and Chairwoman 

Juanita Millender-McDonald directed the Chief Administrative Officer to develop a series of

preliminary recommendations in order to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the

operation of the House office building complex. As they noted, “the House of Representatives

should demonstrate leadership to the nation by providing an environmentally responsible and 

healthy working environment for our employees. In addition, the House complex should be a

showcase for sustainability. The House cannot ask the American people to address global

warming and climate change issues without first carefully examining ways to reduce our energy

consumption and practice sustainable workplace practices.”

As a result of this directive, the Chief Administrative Officer has undertaken a review of the

House operating procedures with respect to energy conservation, sustainability and related 

matters, and offers the following preliminary recommendations to “Green the Capitol.”

Several studies have recently been completed, or are currently under way, that characterize the

energy and carbon use of the Capitol area complex. The Architect of the Capitol is preparing an 

overall Sustainability Plan, and is completing an assessment of the energy retrofits that can be

undertaken as part of its overall facilities planning process. The Government Accountability

Office (GAO) is documenting detailed analysis of the energy and carbon use for the Capitol

complex to determine its “carbon footprint.” The House Science Committee is proposing 

demonstration offices to showcase energy efficient and sustainable practices. Recommendations

have been made by Carnegie Mellon University and others on specific measures that can be

taken, both as short-term actions and through improved specifications for future retrofits. The

Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, a non-profit entity, has offered recommendations to 

Congressman Peter Welch on the best way to insure carbon neutral operations for his office in

the Longworth Building.

This report draws on these draft studies and recommendations, and other sources. It presents a

framework in which all of these recommendations, and others, can be reviewed and

implemented. A more complete set of recommendations will be forthcoming in the final report

on June 30, 2007.
10

2. Carbon Footprint of the House Complex

Summary

Using figures developed by the Government Accountability Office, Lawrence Berkeley National

Laboratory estimated that the operation of the House complex is responsible for approximately 

91,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents) in fiscal year

2006. This is equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions of 17,200 cars. Electricity use

was the largest source of emissions, accounting for 63 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions.

The electricity purchased by the House (and other Legislative Branch agencies) is generated 

from several sources: coal (53 percent), nuclear (37 percent), natural gas (7 percent), renewables

(2 percent) and fuel oil (1 percent). The Capitol Power Plant, which no longer generates

electricity, accounts for another 33 percent of the House greenhouse gas emissions, primarily

from the combustion of fossil fuels at the boilers to generate steam to heat the buildings. The

power plant’s boilers are fired using coal (for 49 percent of the output), natural gas (47 percent),

and other sources. All other business-related activities (travel in owned and leased vehicles,

operation of heavy machinery and release of volatile organic compounds from paint, furniture

refinishing, etc.) accounted for the remainder of the House’s carbon emissions (4 percent).

Characteristics of the House Building Complex

The House building complex described in this report consists of seven buildings in the Capitol

complex, accounting for 6.1 million square feet, roughly 40 percent of the 15.4 million square

feet of the total Capitol complex area (see Table 1).

Table 1. Name, Year Built and Floor Area of the House Buildings,

not including the Capitol Power Plant

Building Name Year Built

2006 Floor Area

[square feet]

Cannon House Office Building 1908 888,536

Longworth House Office Building 1933 682,791

Rayburn House Office Building 

(inc. E & W Underground Garages) 1965 2,971,469

Ford House Office Building 1939 594,730

House Page Dorm 1940 44,986

U.S. Capitol A 1793 421,800

Capitol Visitors Center (under construction) 518,000

TOTAL 6,122,312 A

Only one-half of the Capitol floor area is under House jurisdiction
11

These buildings represent a diverse mix of office and support spaces, and include historical

buildings as well as buildings currently under construction. The House complex can be viewed 

as a small campus within the larger Capitol complex.

Energy Consumption for the House Buildings

Energy is supplied to the House buildings from several sources. Electricity is purchased from the

local utility and provided directly to the buildings. Buildings are on a district steam and chilled

water loop produced by the Capitol Power Plant (CPP), located on site. The CPP does not

produce electricity, but purchases electricity to operate the chillers. The boilers of the plant

primarily use coal or natural gas to produce steam that is distributed to many of the buildings.

Some of the buildings, for example, the Ford House Office Building, have other suppliers of

energy.

Total energy consumption in House buildings is shown in Table 2. The table combines three

types of energy consumption: energy consumption (primarily electricity) metered at each House

building, electricity used by the CPP to provide chilled water to House buildings, and fuel used 

by the CPP boilers to provide steam heat to House buildings.

Of course, the CPP provides chilled water and steam throughout the Capitol complex, not just to

House buildings. Because metered consumption of chilled water and steam is not available for

each House building, we had to calculate an estimate of the percentage of total CPP output that

was attributable to the House buildings. Based on square footage data for buildings served by the

CPP, we estimate that 31 percent of the CPP output is attributable to House buildings. By 

applying that 31 percent factor to total CPP electricity and fuel consumption, we attributed 

chilled water and steam energy consumption to the House buildings.

Table 2. 2006 House Building Energy Consumption

Building Name

Metered

Electricity 

(kWh)

Electricity 

(Million

Btu)

Total

Fuel

(Million

Btu)

Total

Energy 

(Million

Btu)

Cannon HOB 9,126,128 31,138 31,138

Longworth HOB 8,761,167 29,893 29,893

Rayburn HOB plus

East & West Underground Garages 28,046,168 95,694 95,694

Ford HOB 11,744,970 40,074 22,992 63,066

House Page Dorm 393,300 1,342 1,342

U.S. Capitol 12,709,015 43,363 43,363

Capitol Visitors Center 431,400 1,472 1,472

Capitol Power Plant @ 31% 32,198,738 109,862 433,259 543,121

TOTAL 103,410,886 352,838 456,251 809,089

Source: Architect of the Capitol 2007
12

In 2006, the total annual energy use for the House buildings, using the 31 percent factor for the

energy from the Capitol Power Plant, is 809,089 Million Btu (with electricity converted as site

energy, not source energy).

Carbon Footprint for the House Buildings

The estimated total carbon footprint for the House buildings is 91,000 tons of carbon dioxide, of

which 63 percent (57,000 tons of carbon dioxide) is from electricity used by both the Capitol

Power Plant and directly at the buildings, with the remainder from the fossil fuels, primarily at

the CPP. The fuel mix for generating the electricity purchased from the local electricity provider

was coal (53 percent), nuclear (37 percent), natural gas (7 percent), renewables (2 percent) and 

fuel oil (1 percent).

Change in Electricity Consumption for the House Buildings

The total 2006 annual electricity consumption for the House buildings, including the 31 percent

factor at the Capitol Power Plant, is 103,411,000 kWh (Table 3). This is roughly the same

electricity consumption as 8,600 U.S. homes.

Table 3 also shows a two percent increase in electricity consumption by 2006 from the FY03 

baseline established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, with the even greater increase in 

electricity use in the House buildings. The power consumption at the Capitol Power Plant has

been decreasing over the same period.

Table 3. Trend in Electricity Consumption for the House Buildings, including the estimated

fraction for the Capitol Power Plant, 2003-2006

House Buildings Electricity [kWh/yr] 2006 Change from

2003 Baseline

FY 03 FY 04 FY 05 FY 06 kWh %

Cannon HOB 9,057,321 9,204,855 8,889,950 9,126,128 68,807 0.8%

Longworth HOB 9,173,153 9,867,332 9,560,481 8,761,167 -411,986 -4.5%

Rayburn HOB 27,485,346 27,398,807 27,773,721 28,046,168 560,822 2.0%

Ford HOB 11,835,756 12,749,496 12,747,986 11,744,970 -90,786 -0.8%

House Page Dorm 409,500 439,200 408,600 393,300 -16,200 -4.0%

U.S. Capitol

(House only) 9,402,524 9,663,404 9,682,487 12,709,015 3,306,491 35.2%

House Total

(kWh) 67,471,200 70,894,294 71,664,825 71,212,148 3,740,948 5.5%

Capitol Power

Plant @ 31% 34,214,225 32,198,738 14,916,964 -5.9%

TOTAL HOUSE

& CAPITOL

POWER PLANT 101,685,425 103,410,886 29,850,128 1.7%

Source: Architect of the Capitol 2007
13

Trends in Energy and Carbon Emissions

Figure 1 shows that for the past ten years there has been no clear trend in total energy 

consumption for the House buildings. Central steam predominates, followed by central chilled

water from the Capitol Power Plant.

TOTAL SITE ENERGY

[Million Btu, weather-normalized]

-

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

800,000

900,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Million Btu/yr

Central Steam

Central Chilled Water

US Capitol

Capitol Visitor Center

Rayburn

Longworth

House Page Dorm

Ford

Cannon

Figure 1. Total Energy Consumption for the House Buildings 1997-2006.

Figure 2. Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions for the House Buildings 1997-2006.

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS

[Tons CO2 per year, weather-normalized]

-

50,000

100,000

150,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Tons CO

2 /yr

Central Steam

Central Chilled Water

U.S. Capitol

Capitol Visitor Center

Rayburn

Longworth

House Page Dorm

Ford

Cannon
14

Similar to the energy consumption shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 illustrates that there has been no

clear trend in carbon dioxide emissions for the past 10 years, with the drop in 1998-2001 for

central steam probably due to price-based fuel switching for the boilers in the CPP. The data in 

Figure 2 uses 2004 carbon emission factors from Pepco.

Figure 3. Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Type of Energy.

The impact of fuel substitution at the plant (natural gas for coal) from 1998-2000 is clearly seen 

in Figure 3. Note that the carbon dioxide emissions from purchased electricity for the Capitol

complex come largely from the combustion of coal.

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS BY TYPE OF ENERGY

[Tons CO2 per year, weather-normalized]

-

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

 Tons CO

2 /yr

Oil

Natural Gas

Electricity

Coal
15

Figure 4. Capitol Power Plant Fuel Mix (Million Btu).

The Capitol Power Plant has shifted its mix of fuels from year to year, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5. Annual Energy Expenditure for Key End Uses

CENTRAL POWER PLANT FUEL MIX

[Million Btu, weather-normalized]

-

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Million Btu/yr

Oil

Coal

Natural Gas - Main Campus - Firm

Account

Natural gas - Main Campus -

Interruptible Account

ENERGY EXPENDITURES (Dollars/year)

-

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

14,000,000

16,000,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Dollars/yr

Central Steam

Central Chilled Water

U.S. Capitol

Capitol Visitor Center

Rayburn

Longworth

House Page Dorm

Ford

Cannon
16

Figure 6. Trends in Energy, Costs and Emissions

Figures 5 and 6 shows that the costs of energy have risen dramatically in recent years, more than 

doubling in the past 10 years. Figure 5 shows the actual costs, and Figure 6 shows the

normalized costs, along with the normalized emissions and energy consumption.

TRENDS IN ENERGY, COSTS, EMISSIONS

 [Indexed to 1996]

-

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

2.00

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Fiscal Year

Index: 1996=1.00

Total Energy

Total Emissions

Total Cost
17

Figure 7. Purchased Electricity Costs for the House Buildings (dollars/year).

Figures 7 and 8 show the annual costs and use of the electricity for the House Buildings.

Figure 8. Purchased Electricity Use for the House Buildings (kWh/yr).

CAPITOL & HOUSE BUILDINGS

Electricity Costs (Dollars per year)

$-

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

$7,000,000

$8,000,000

$9,000,000

1996

1997

199819992000

20012002

2003

20042005

2006

Year

Dollars/yr

US CAPITOL

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

RAYBURN

LONGWORTH

HOUSE PAGE DORM

FORD

CANNON

CAPITOL & HOUSE BUILDINGS

Electricity Use (kWh per year)

-

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000

1996

1997

19981999

2000

2001

2002

200320042005

2006

Year

kWh/yr

US CAPITOL

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

RAYBURN

LONGWORTH

HOUSE PAGE DORM

FORD

CANNON
18

Figure 9. Electricity Intensity Trends for Capitol and House Buildings (kWh/ft2-yr).

Figure 9 provides a means for comparing the electric power use of the House office buildings.

The Capitol itself was the most energy intensive, with the House Page Dorm being the least

energy intensive.

CAPITOL & HOUSE BUILDINGS

Electricity Intensity Trends

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Year

kWh/ft

2-yr

CANNON

FORD

HOUSE PAGE DORM

LONGWORTH

RAYBURN

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

US CAPITOL
19

3. Recommendations

3.1 Recommendation 1: Operate the House in a Carbon Neutral

Manner.

Climate change and global warming are serious problems caused primarily by carbon. One way 

the House can begin to address this problem is to work towards operating our facilities in a

carbon neutral manner. This will mean taking steps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions our

complex creates through its operation. Global warming is an international problem, but there are

steps we can take to provide leadership for solving these issues locally. The most important step 

is to adopt a policy of making the operations of the House carbon neutral.

Accordingly, it is recommended the House operate in a carbon neutral manner at the earliest

possible date, but no later than the end of the 110th Congress. By implementing this

recommendation, we will be eliminating the impact of 91,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions,

which is the equivalent of taking 17,200 cars off the road.

3.2 Recommendation 2: Shift to 100 percent Renewable Electric

Power.

The purchase of electricity is the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from the operations

of the House. In order to achieve our goal of making our operations carbon neutral, my office,

working with the Architect of the Capitol, should negotiate to purchase 100 percent of our

electricity needs (approximately 103,000 megawatt-hours per year) using Competitive

Renewable Power at the earliest possible date. The quantities that would be required by the

House to meet its annual expected electricity usage can be provided by one or more sources of

power located within the boundaries of, or immediately adjacent to, the PJM Interconnection.

The specific facility or facilities will be determined at a later date. These facilities already exist

within the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Michigan. The

electricity cost premium to purchase power generated from renewable sources can be as much as

20 percent. This increase will be offset over the long run by energy conservation actions.

By implementing this recommendation, the House buildings will eliminate 57,000 tons of

greenhouse gas emissions, or the equivalent of removing 11,000 cars from the roads.

3.3 Recommendation 3: Aggressively Improve Energy Efficiency.

Energy efficiency offers the greatest contribution to reducing carbon emissions by reducing the

fuels purchased for services. The Architect of the Capitol has identified over one hundred

opportunities for improvements in the physical buildings and operations in analysis required by 

the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58).
20

We address five areas for improving energy efficiency:

A. Interior Lighting

B. Office Electronics

C. Data Center and Computer Servers

D. Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

E. Capitol Power Plant

Other areas for improving energy efficiency, such as power infrastructure, operations and

maintenance, and transportation, will be addressed in the implementation phase.

A. Lighting Retrofits

There are a series of immediate steps House offices can take to reduce energy use through

improving the efficiency of lighting. The CAO recommends the following actions:

a. Immediately convert 2,000 desk lamps in the House office buildings to CFLs. In addition,

within six months take the steps necessary to convert the remaining 10,000 desk lamps to

CFLs. Replacing 12,000 CFLs is the equivalent to removing 255 cars from the road, and

it will yield a $245,000 savings in electric power costs to the House per year.

b. Direct the CAO and Architect of the Capitol to no longer purchase standard incandescent

replacement bulbs with funds made available by the House. Standard incandescent bulbs

consume four times the energy of compact fluorescents and it is time for the House to

eliminate their use.

c. Instruct the Architect to convert the overhead House ceiling lights to high efficiency 

lighting and controls at the earliest possible date. This action has the potential to reduce

lighting energy from these sources by as much as 50 percent. It would also eliminate

7,130 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to 1,340 cars.

d. Promote energy efficiency among the 7,000 staff of the House by making compact

fluorescent lamps available at cost in the House office supply store. If all staff members

installed just one CFL bulb in their home, it would have a cumulative effect of removing

150 cars from the road.

e. Direct the Architect to expand their fluorescent lamp disposal program to include the

proper collection of used compact fluorescent lamps.

B. Office Electronics

Offices inside the Capitol buildings make heavy use of computers, displays, televisions, printers,

faxes and many other kinds of electronic equipment. Together these devices probably consume

as much electricity as the lights. A combination of new, efficient equipment and improved 

operating practices could easily reduce electricity use by half.
21

The “electronics” category covers office equipment, consumer electronics and other

miscellaneous products. A partial list of target products is given below:

Office Equipment

Computers, displays, printers, fax machines, scanners, photocopy machines, routers,

modems, computer speakers, uninterruptible power supplies, refrigerators, etc.

Consumer Electronics

Televisions, VCRs, DVD & CD players, audio equipment, set-top boxes, telephones and 

answering machines, battery chargers, etc.

Other Electronics

Video surveillance and security equipment

The exact mix of recommendations in this area will be addressed in detail in the June 30 report.

C. House Computer Data Center and Computer Servers

The House Data Center and computer servers are a significant target of opportunity for early 

energy and carbon savings. Table 4 gives the range of percent savings for IT equipment for

different applications.

Table 4. Representative Percent Savings for IT equipment

Scenario Equipment Location

Server

Closet/Room

Data

Center

Improved Management 10%

15%

(10-20%)

Best Practice 30%

40%

(30-60%)

State of the Art 50%

67%

(50-80%)

Source: Brown et al., 2007

The types of opportunities for energy savings for server rooms and data centers are described 

below as three scenarios:

Improved Operational Management: This scenario includes efficiency improvements that

require essentially no capital investment. Most of the improvements are operational in nature,

i.e., operating the existing capital stock more efficiently.

Best Practice: This scenario represents the efficiency levels achieved by the most efficient

existing facilities today. It builds on the operational improvements in scenario 1, and includes
22

improvements that require more capital investment, planning and engineering. The technologies

in this scenario are all available today, but are not widely used in the Capitol.

State of the Art: This scenario represents the efficiency levels that are achievable through

aggressive optimization of the data center system — what might be called “showcase” buildings.

The scenario combines efficiency technologies that are available today in ways that are not

currently practiced. These efficiency levels are generally only feasible in new data centers.

In the June 30 report we will include an action plan to reduce energy consumption by the House

Data Center.

D. Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Distribution Systems

Together, the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) and Capitol Complex Buildings form a typical district

heating and cooling system. This system consists of three main components: a “power”

1 plant, a

distribution system and multiple buildings with various end uses. Figure 10 illustrates the

connections between a generic plant and a generic space heating and cooling system in a

building, along with some of the important energy and water flows.

Figure 10: District Heating and Cooling System Schematic.

It is important to recognize that the effects of the power plant, distribution system and building 

inefficiencies are multiplicative. For example, to heat a conditioned space, if 40 percent of the

steam and chilled water energy supplied to the buildings is wasted before it reaches the

 1 Although the CPP was originally equipped with steam turbines, it has not generated electricity since the early

1950s.

Coal, Fuel Oil,

Natural Gas

Electricity

Stack Heat Loss +

Emissions

Cooling Tower

Heat + Water Loss

Boilers

Chillers

Steam

Supply

Chilled Water

Supply

Pump

Pump

Fans

Cooling

Coil

Warm

Air

Cool

Air

Power Plant

Components Distribution System BuildingComponents

Chilled Water

Return

Make-Up Water

Condensate

Return

Heat Exchange

Outdoor

Air

Relief

Air

Heating

Coil

Occupied

Space

Heat Loss/Gain

Terminal

Box

Mixing

Box
23

conditioned spaces, 15 percent of the energy supplied to the distribution system pipes is wasted 

before it reaches the buildings, and 25 percent of the energy supplied to the plant is wasted 

before it reaches the distribution system, then the net efficiency (fuel to end use) is only about

0.38. This means that about 62 percent of the energy supplied to the plant is ultimately wasted, or

conversely, the plant must supply about 2.6 times more energy than the building end uses

require. It also means that actions to reduce CPP energy use should include improvements to the

distribution and HVAC systems.

Consultants that have carried out energy audits of the Rayburn House Office Building and the

Capitol Building have recommended several improvements to increase HVAC energy efficiency 

such as replacing faulty equipment and using motors and pumps that are more efficient.

However, the recommendations do not include two major, low-cost opportunities: reducing duct

leakage, and improving the operation of fans that circulate hot and cool air.

Electricity used by fans to circulate hot and cool air in large commercial buildings is typically 30 

to 50 percent of the HVAC site energy use. Recent field data indicate that duct leakage can result

in fan energy increases of 25 to 35 percent. It is possible to almost eliminate this energy waste by 

internally sealing the ducts using sealants or similar technology. New wireless-based control

technology has also recently become available to help reduce fan energy, as well as reduce

unnecessary heating and cooling (fan drives need to be upgraded, but there is no need to replace

other air distribution components). Potential energy savings from duct leakage sealing and 

improving fan operation are about 30 to 50 percent of supply fan energy consumption, plus about

30 to 40 percent of the other heating, cooling and HVAC auxiliary equipment energy

consumption.

The House might also want to consider recommending two longer term, more capital-intensive

improvements:

a. Steam traps are used throughout the buildings to remove water from steam lines.

Although the AOC has an excellent trap maintenance program in place, steam traps are

often a critical source of energy inefficiency. The problem with steam traps could be

reduced by changing steam distribution at the buildings to hot water, where feasible.

b. The steam and chilled water pipes that connect the CPP to the buildings that it serves are

located in an extremely hot environment throughout the year due to heat losses from the

steam pipes. Energy losses associated with steam line leakage and inadequate insulation 

can be in the range of 5 to 20 percent of the energy entering the steam line. An audit is

needed to quantify the savings opportunities from lowering steam temperatures and 

pressures and improving the pipe insulation.

Any recommendations for specific actions in these areas will have to be developed in concert

with the AOC. Effort will be made to develop specific recommendations for the June 30 report.
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E. Capitol Power Plant (CPP)

The CPP produces steam using two coal-fired boilers and five oil- and/or natural gas-fired

boilers. Well-tuned generic boilers have “fuel-to-steam” efficiencies in the range of 70 to 85 

percent at full load, but the efficiency drops rapidly as less steam is needed (e.g., warmer weather

results in lower steam demands from the buildings served). There can be further efficiency losses

(10 to 15 percent) due to soot and scale contamination of the boiler heat transfer surfaces, and 

poor water quality control practices. In combination at full load, as much as 45 percent of the

energy in the fuel could be wasted. The AOC is planning to address one of the larger

opportunities for savings: adding controls so that one or more boilers are operated at or near full

load as much as possible. Other opportunities they should consider include: using natural gas

instead of coal in the two coal-fired boilers (or to simply not use the coal fired boilers because of

excess capacity); recovering heat from the stacks to preheat water for the boilers or to supply hot

water directly to nearby buildings; and improving maintenance to minimize boiler

contamination.

Chilled water is produced by 10 electrically driven chillers located in the CPP with efficiencies

that are likely about 0.05 to 0.075 W/Btu at rated conditions. Compared to boilers, chiller

efficiency is less dependent on load. Retrofits are under way to address the largest opportunity

for savings: replacing inefficient chillers with ones that are more efficient, and adding controls to

operate one or more chillers at or near maximum efficiency as much as possible. Other

opportunities that should be considered include: using “free” cooling technologies to reduce

chiller power consumption, supplying warmer chilled water to the buildings and using waste heat

from the cooling processes to preheat water for the boilers or to supply warm water directly to 

nearby buildings.

One major opportunity that the House might want to consider in the future is recommending the

AOC reconfigure the CPP to be a combined heat and power (CHP) system, also known as a

cogeneration system. Such a system would generate electrical power on site, and energy that

would normally be wasted in offsite electricity generation (as much as 2/3 of the energy input)

would be used to produce steam and chilled water onsite. A CHP system can save at least 50 

percent of the combined energy that otherwise would be required to separately generate

electricity off site, and steam and chilled water onsite. The conversion is capital intensive and 

requires further study.

Any changes in the CPP operations will require considerable consultation with the AOC and will

have to be addressed in the June report.

3.4 Recommendation 4: Adopt Sustainable Business Practices.

The House is a major purchaser of products and services, and we should demonstrate leadership 

by making purchases that promote sustainability. Therefore, I recommend the following actions:

a. Purchase only Energy Star or Federal Energy Management Program-designated products

where such designations are available. These products have been determined by the
25

appropriate Federal agencies to be life-cycle cost effective in normal operations and will

contribute significantly to reduced consumption of energy.

b. Purchase office equipment that is certified using the Electronic Product Environmental

Assessment Tool (EPEAT) system. This system helps evaluate, compare and select

electronic equipment based on its environmental attributes. EPEAT certified electronic

devices are low in heavy metals and high in recycled plastic content.

c. Give priority to the purchase of climate neutral products that offset the life cycle

contribution of greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, purchase only adhesive, sealants,

paints, coating, and carpets that emit very low quantities of volatile organic compounds.

Volatile organic compounds are major components affecting indoor air quality and they 

contribute to climate change.

d. Purchase only furnishings that contain recycled products or wood certified as sustainable

by the Sustainable Forests Initiative, the Forest Stewardship Council or similar programs.

Implementing this recommendation will make a small contribution toward insuring biodiverse forests for future generations.

e. Direct the Architect to finalize the installation of an Ethanol-85 tank, pump and related 

infrastructure for the use of official vehicles within the next six months.

While some actions for improving the sustainable operations of the Capitol can take place

immediately, others will take a few years to design and implement. Specific actions are needed 

to address water consumption and management, storm water runoff, material selection and use,

recycling and operations and maintenance.

3.5 Recommendation 5: Continued Leadership on Sustainability

Issues.

It is important for Members and staff to continue to provide leadership on climate change and

sustainability issues. To assist in maintaining this continuing commitment, I recommend the

following actions:

a. Hold a “Green Expo” for House offices to demonstrate the latest in green products or

services available to offices from commercial vendors.

b. Establish a sustainability education program for House employees providing guidance on 

how employees can make a contribution to impacting climate change and sustainability at

home and in the work place.

c. Establish a “Green Revolving Fund,” where revenues received from various sources will

be placed in a revolving fund to be used to undertake energy and water conservation 

initiatives that offset greenhouse gas emissions.
26

3.6 Recommendation 6: Offset to Insure Carbon Neutral Operations.

It is likely that even by implementing all the recommendations outlined above, the House will

not be operating in a carbon neutral manner.

As a result, we will have to develop a strategy for offsetting as much as 34,000 tons of

greenhouse gas emissions by either:

(1) Purchasing offset credits in the domestic market.

(2) Contributing a per ton payment, based on the current domestic market, of carbon dioxide

equivalents emitted by the Capitol Power Plant boilers. These funds should be deposited 

into the Green Revolving Fund and used to mitigate the emissions. Since the domestic

offset market is in its infancy and lacks uniform standards, it is important the House

carefully screen any offset purchases.

Between now and June 30, I will undertake a review of possible investments and determine their

acceptability. If an acceptable offset cannot be secured, depositing the offset monies in the Green 

Revolving Fund would provide us with an acceptable alternative.
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4. Conclusion

The recommendations in this report are only the first step in the process of creating a Green 

Capitol and more sustainable House operations. The final report scheduled for release on June 30

will introduce additional recommendations and provide a framework for guiding future

decisions. That framework will set benchmarks for existing energy use; establish meaningful and 

measurable goals for reducing energy and carbon; create timetables for implementing various

changes in operating conditions; and define measures for reporting progress on a regular basis.