PLAN TO TURN GOVERNOR’S MANSION INTO A “GREEN” BUILDING
Electricity Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions to be Cut by Half
New York State has unveiled a plan to transform the Governor’s Mansion into a “green” building.
“Greening the Mansion” is an important new initiative that brings clean, efficient technologies to the Executive Mansion. Serving as a model for the state, the residential greening initiative will help address global climate change, while lowering energy bills and fueling the innovation economy by supporting new industries born from the expanded use of clean power.
“Greening the Mansion” is part of New York State ’s broader clean energy plan to decrease the projected demand for electricity 15 percent by 2015 through increased energy efficiency and clean, renewable power production. The plan looks to increase the supply of available energy for a growing state in an environmentally sustainable way. The “15 by 15” energy conservation goal is the most aggressive target in the nation.
Residential homes are responsible for 21% of greenhouse gas emissions and 22% of energy use in this country. Buildings in general are responsible for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of energy use.
FIVE EASY LOW-COST GREENing TIPS:
1. Switch Your Light bulbs - Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Carbon Dioxide Savings is 150 pounds per bulb annually. Cost: $2.50 per bulb.
2. Adjust Your Home Thermostat - Move the temperature down 2 degrees in the winter and up 2 degrees in the summer. Saves 2,000 pounds of Carbon Dioxide each year. Cost : None (Cost Savings)
3. Recycle -Set a goal of recycling one-half of your household waste. Saves 2,400 pounds of CO2 each year. Cost: None (Cost Savings)
4. Turn Off/Unplug Electronic Devices -Turn off/unplug your TV, DVD, computer, stereo and other devices when you’re not using them. Saves thousands of pounds of CO2 per year. Cost: None (Cost Savings)
5. Use Less Hot Water - Install low-flow showerheads; run your dishwasher only when it’s full and off peak; and wash clothes in cold or warm water. Carbon Dioxide annual savings: Showerheads – 350 pounds; dishwasher -- 100 pounds; clothes – 500 pounds. Cost: Showerhead -- $25; dishwasher and clothes – None (Cost Savings)
* Additional information and statistics can be found at www.climatecrisis.com.
“Greening the Mansion” will cut its electrical energy consumption by 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half. Highlights of the plan include:
• Clean, Renewable Energy. Solar panels will be installed in three locations throughout the Executive Mansion’s property: the parking lot, a building canopy, and the roof of the pool-house. The solar panels in the parking lot will serve as carports, providing shade and eventually enabling electric vehicles to re-charge. Solar panels will also be built as a canopy outside the State Police building. A fuel cell system will be used to power a back-up generator, replacing an existing diesel generator.• Energy-Efficient Appliances and Equipment. Energy efficient appliances will replace several existing appliances. This process will begin today with the installation of an energy-efficient washing machine and dryer to replace old and inefficient models. Low-flow showerheads will also be installed to reduce the use of water and many of the existing light bulbs throughout the mansion will be replaced with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Ecologically Sound Maintenance Practices. The mansion is phasing in the use of non-toxic cleaning products, organic pest control, mulching lawnmowers that recycle grass clippings in place, extensive recycling, and composting.
• Green Equipment. The mansion staff will begin using hybrid electric vehicles. Electric lawn mowers and lawn maintenance equipment will also be used to reduce gasoline emissions. (Electric equipment can plug into the solar carport for power.)
• Local and Organic Food Policy. The mansion has begun purchasing New York-grown, and preferably organic, produce to the greatest extent possible. The mansion will also purchase from a local food co-op, and join a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which allows consumers to buy a share in a farm and receive fresh local organic produce when it is harvested.
The mansion qualifies for the New York Power Authority's pre-existing state program for energy improvements at state facilities, and will apply for additional funding under a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) program available to all electricity consumers in the state. The project team does not expect to use any capital funds from the state budget for the project.
By decreasing its electrical energy consumption and pursuing additional “greening” methods, the mansion is attempting to meet green building standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council, referred to as LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. When the project is complete, the plan will be submitted to the U.S. Green Building Council for review and possible LEED certification.
A“Greening the Mansion” Working Group convened in February 2007. The group is composed of representatives from the New York Power Authority, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Office of General Services and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, as well as an architect from the Albany firm of Collins + Scoville Architects, PC. The group studied the condition of the Governor’s Mansion to determine which green technologies made the most sense -- financially, environmentally and economically. Much of the green technology will not only cut energy costs and help the environment, but it will ultimately pay for itself in energy savings.
The Governor’s Mansion, located at 138 Eagle Street in downtown Albany, is a 39-room building in the Queen Anne style of architecture. The building started as a simple 10-room, privately-owned wood-frame house in 1856. It underwent several changes before its final architectural renovation in 1887. Governors have lived in the mansion since Samuel Tilden first resided there in 1875. “Greening the Mansion” will honor historic preservation guidelines consistent with the Executive Mansion’s status as an historic landmark.
