Oregon Legislative Assembly Office of the Senate President Office of the House Speaker

 

News Release

 

Contact:  Robin Maxey                        Geoff Sugerman                  January 13, 2009

            (503) 986-1605                           (503) 986-1210

robin.maxey@state.or.us         geoff.sugerman@state.or.us

 

State Capitol Honored

For Sustainability Efforts

 

SALEM – The Oregon State Capitol has been honored for its commitment to environmental sustainability by receiving Marion County’s EarthWISE certification, Legislative leaders announced Tuesday.

 

House Speaker Dave Hunt and Senate President Peter Courtney said Marion County officials recognized the Capitol’s efforts in the areas of recycling, waste reduction/prevention, environmental education, water conservation/management, and energy conservation.

 

“As we have asked other state agencies to be more energy efficient, we’ve practiced the same thing right here,” Hunt said, “Our goal is to make Oregon’s Capitol the most sustainable state capitol in the United States and our state government the most energy efficient in the nation.”

 

“Oregon’s Legislature is leading by example,” Courtney said. “Our investments in sustainability will pay huge dividends for our environment.”

 

The EarthWISE certification recognizes businesses in Marion County that have made a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. It recognizes actions taken by the Legislature to ‘green’ the Capitol, which is also slated to be recognized by the State Energy Efficiency Design (SEED) Program.

 

Legislative leaders said their goal is to reduce the Capitol’s carbon footprint.

 

The recently-completed Capitol Restoration Project will result in a significant reduction in the amount of electricity and natural gas used to power and heat the Capitol wings. Current models project energy consumption will be at least 20 percent below code according to the Oregon Department of Energy.

 

Improvements to the Capitol wings included the installation of lower energy lights with occupancy sensors and integration of natural light into offices in the wings. Newly-installed fixtures include low-flow toilets and touch-less faucets, both of which reduce water consumption in the Capitol. High efficiency motors and controllers were installed on elevators, and direct digital controls were added to new high efficiency fans that supply the heating and cooling systems in the Capitol. These changes will significantly reduce energy needs in the wings.

 

Hunt and Courtney also announced that Legislative Administrator Scott Burgess has initiated a Sustainability Team to coordinate and expand the Capitol’s sustainability program for the future.

 

-30-