Computers: The House maintains 600 Web sites and receives 1 million e-mail messages a day, but until now different offices had their own servers. Consolidating servers will eliminate redundancy and save power.
Electricity: 100 percent of the supply will soon come from renewable sources. New efficiencies will also allow cuts in usage. Think 12,000 compact fluorescent bulbs and even energy-efficient paper shredders.
Ventilation: The current duct work is leakier than, well, some federal agencies. The House will tighten that up and install more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, which will be powered with natural gas.
Ecoproducts: Start with recycled paper and polish off with cleaning supplies that meet the Green Seal standards for environmental safety. Even carpets and paints will be “low VOC,” giving off fewer chemical fumes.
Parking: The House will replace its fleet of about 50 cars and SUVs with hybrids, install an ethanol pump in the garage and add more bike racks. Who knows? At this rate, we might have to start calling it the Green House.
