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Greening the Capitol Complex

11.18.2008

Congress has an opportunity and an obligation to lead the way when it comes to saving energy. The Rules Committee is committed to instituting and administering programs that reduce greenhouse gases and promote energy efficiency.

The Committee is working closely with Senate leadership, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and legislative branch agencies to explore programs that will help us exceed our goal of achieving an overall 30 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2015.

On June 18, 2008, the Committee held a hearing at which panelists testified on the ways the Senate is meeting the challenges of dramatically reducing our energy usage and suggested ways that we can do more. The hearing noted several key areas where the Senate is making significant gains in reducing our energy needs. Specifically, the Senate is working on the following projects:

• Replacing all lights in common areas and stairways with compact florescent bulbs that dramatically reduce the amount of energy used - to date 99 percent of these lights have been replaced.

• Improving the Senate’s recycling program, which already recycles 12 different products from saw dust to conventional office paper. Last year alone, the program produced 908 tons of recycled materials.

• The Senate’s Dimmable Ballast pilot program has now been installed in 10 different offices and saves between 40 - 50 percent on lighting energy costs per year. The program uses sensors to detect the amount of ambient natural light in the room and adjusts the level of electrical lightening accordingly. Once the program is complete, it will save $380,000 a year.

• Placing timers on lighting systems in seldom used stairwells and storage rooms, thereby creating as estimated 45 percent reduction in the amount of energy used. Additionally, all cove lights in the Dirksen building have been placed on timers to lower the level of light in the common areas.

• Installing energy star appliances and vending throughout the Senate campus. Additionally, Senate elevators and escalators are being upgraded with energy-efficient equipment and motors.

If you are interested in seeing a full transcript from the hearing please click on the link below.

http://rules.senate.gov/hearings/2008/061808cchrg.htm