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THE GREENING OF THE WHITE HOUSE:
SAVING ENERGY, SAVING MONEY AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
December 2, 1999
Real Actions, Real Savings. On Earth Day 1993, President Clinton announced
the Greening of the White House, a new initiative to improve the energy and
environmental performance of the White House complex. Today's
report details energy efficiency and conservation measures taken throughout
the complex, including the East and West Wings and the Old Executive Office
Building. The report summarizes the resulting environmental benefits – including
a significant reduction in the greenhouse gases emitted when fossil fuels are
burned to create energy – and identifies cost savings of $300,000 a year, including:
- $138,000 from more efficient lighting;
- $37,000 from new heating system and window air conditioner upgrades; and,
- $15,000 from new sprinklers and timers.
The report also recommends additional steps and outlines plans to expand the Greening effort to the White House offices in townhouses on Jackson Place.
Entire Federal Government Leading By Example. The Greening initiative is part of a broader effort by the President to improve the energy performance of the federal government. In June of this year, the President signed Executive Order 13123 directing all federal agencies to achieve by 2010:
- 35 percent greater energy efficiency in buildings relative to 1985 levels; and,
- 30 percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions from building-related energy use relative to 1990.
By 2010, the resulting energy savings will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 million tons – the equivalent of taking 1.7 million cars off the road – and save taxpayers over $750 million a year.
Off-the-Shelf Products Available to All Americans. All of the energy efficiency and other Greening improvements to the White House employ "off-the-shelf" materials and technologies that are available to all Americans for use in their homes and workplaces. As President Clinton said in 1993, "I want to make the White House a model for other Federal agencies, for State and local governments, for business, and for families in their own homes. Before I ask you to do the best you can in your house, I ought to make sure I'm doing the best I can in my house."
Energy Star® Products Promotions. As part of today's release of
the Greening of the White House report, six major Americans companies – Best
Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Philips Lighting Company North America, Sears, and
Whirlpool – are announcing a series of consumer incentives
to help promote the use of energy efficient products by Americans in their own
homes. All of these companies are partners in Energy Star Products, a Federal-private
sector partnership to design and promote appliances and other items that use
cutting-edge energy efficient technologies to save consumers money and help
protect the environment.
Further information about the Greening of the White House and an electronic copy of the report may be found at: http:/www.eren.doe.gov/femp
Click here to view the press
conference plus other interviews from the release of the "Greening of the White
House" report.
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