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Acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP, announced today that the Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has entered into a partnership with NORESCO, LLC, for an Energy Savings Performance Contract in the House Office Buildings. The project includes nearly $34 million in facility infrastructure upgrades in the Rayburn, Longworth, Cannon, and Ford House Office Buildings, as well as the House Page Dormitory. Highlights of this project include:

• Upgrading nearly 33,000 fixtures in all buildings with energy-efficient, state-of-the-art lighting controls in selected areas for daylight harvesting and dimming;
• Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls, control strategies, and equipment customized for each building, incorporating enhanced space condition feedback and building occupancy schedules;
• Installing new low-flow restroom fixtures, faucets, and showerheads in all buildings, as well as a condensate harvesting system for the West Court fountain make-up water in the Rayburn Building, and a showcase green roof in the central courtyard of the Cannon Building;
• Replacing steam traps in the Rayburn, Longworth, and Ford Buildings.

“By practicing efficient energy management, we save taxpayer dollars, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the environment and natural resources. The actions and initiatives we have implemented over the past several years are making a difference and have saved energy across the Capitol complex,” said Ayers. “There is more we can do to further conserve energy, and this public-private partnership will help us achieve very significant energy reductions over the next several years.”

After implementation of all energy conservation measures over the 30-month construction period, the House Office Buildings are estimated to potentially realize:

• A 23 percent reduction in total energy consumption;
• A 32 percent reduction in total water consumption;
• Approximately $3.3 million in annual energy savings.

The associated reductions in carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and other emissions related to the projected electricity savings are equivalent to removing nearly 1,700 cars from the road or planting over 2,600 acres of trees.

Through this energy savings performance contract, NORESCO, under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol, will invest private funds to carryout a pre-approved set of energy conservation projects in the selected buildings. NORESCO will guarantee minimum energy savings for each project and will be repaid for their investment from the verified savings.

“We appreciate the support of the House Leadership and our oversight committees in our ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the Capitol complex,” said Ayers. “They have made clear their commitment to reduce energy consumption, conserve natural resources, protect the environment, and in the long term, save taxpayer dollars.”

The House Office Buildings are expected to benefit significantly from improved aesthetics, equipment performance, and reliability resulting from these energy-saving initiatives, as well as make significant progress toward meeting the statutory energy reduction goals for Federal buildings.