IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 912 

Recognizing the Aquarium of the Pacific for winning the Super Nova Star 

of Energy and Efficiency Award and for providing national leadership 

in marine education, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 18, 2009 

Ms. RICHARDSON (for herself, Mr. ROHRABACHER, Mr. THOMPSON of California, and Mr. CALVERT) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the Aquarium of the Pacific for winning the 

Super Nova Star of Energy and Efficiency Award and 

for providing national leadership in marine education, 

and for other purposes. 

Whereas, on September 17, 2009, the Aquarium of the Pacific, located in Long Beach, California, was awarded the 

prestigious Super Nova Star of Energy Efficiency Award 

by the Alliance to Save Energy; 

Whereas the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit coalition 

of business, government, environmental, and consumer 

leaders that was founded in 1977 that supports energy 

efficiency and advocates for energy-efficient policies that 

minimize costs to society and individual consumers, and 


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•HRES 912 IH 

that lessen greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on 

the global climate; 

Whereas each year the Alliance to Save Energy evaluates 

thousands of companies, learning institutions, and State 

and local government agencies and awards the Super 

Nova Star of Energy Efficiency to the organization that 

is deemed to be the most energy-efficient organization in 

the Nation with annual revenues under $50,000,000; 

Whereas in winning the Super Nova Star Award, the Aquarium of the Pacific became the first nongovernmental and 

noncorporate organization to be so honored; 

Whereas in selecting the Aquarium of the Pacific for the 

award, the Alliance to Save Energy commended the 

Aquarium for becoming the first aquarium, museum, or 

zoological park in the country to certify its greenhouse 

gas emissions with a third party, verifying that the 

Aquarium’s energy consumption levels have not risen in 

the past eight years despite significant increases in the 

number of visitors; 

Whereas in 2008, the Aquarium of the Pacific placed in service Long Beach’s first LEED platinum-certified building, 

a pioneering environmental classroom that uses solar 

power, a green roof, a rainwater capture system, and a 

highly efficient pool pump, and other energy and water 

efficiencies; 

Whereas the Aquarium has committed to achieving LEED 

platinum or gold certification for all future projects and 

has set an excellent example for energy efficiency that 

other businesses and institutions can follow; 

Whereas the Aquarium of the Pacific is the fourth most attended aquarium in the Nation, and its mission is to inVerDate Nov 24 2008 23:34 Nov 18, 2009 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR912.IH HR912

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still a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the 

Pacific Ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems; 

Whereas the Aquarium offers numerous educational programs, cultural festivals, classes and courses, offsite field 

trips, and renowned guest speakers; and 

Whereas such programs and initiatives educate and inspire 

1,500,000 visitors annually and deepen their understanding and appreciation for the Pacific Ocean’s ecosystems while furthering the national goal of maximizing 

energy efficiency: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) congratulates the Aquarium of the Pacific 

3 for receiving the prestigious Super Nova Star of En4 ergy Efficiency Award; 

5 (2) affirms the important role that aquariums 

6 accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquar7 iums play in broadening public understanding of the 

8 oceans, marine life, and complex aquatic ecosystems; 

9 (3) recognizes and applauds the Aquarium of 

10 the Pacific as a pioneer of marine education and en11 ergy efficiency; and 

12 (4) encourages other museums, aquariums, and 

13 similar institutions to follow the Aquarium of the 

14 Pacific’s example of how to prioritize and achieve 

15 energy efficiency. 

Æ 


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