Rachel Carson Building Earns EPA Energy Star Rating For Superior Efficiency

The Rachel Carson Building has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious Energy Star rating, becoming the first state-owned building in Pennsylvania to receive the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection, Department of General Services Secretary James P. Creedon announced.

 

The energy performance of the building, located at 400 Market St. in Harrisburg, rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide and, according to Secretary Creedon, reflects the state's commitment to being a smart energy consumer.

 

"Just as many homeowners are doing, state government is making cost-effective improvements to public facilities as a way to conserve energy and lower our utility bills, while demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship," said Secretary Creedon.

 

To earn the Energy Star rating, DGS implemented a series of improvements to the Rachel Carson Building that include:

 

-- Changing from incandescent to fluorescent lighting;

 

-- Installing computer software similar to programmable thermostats, light sensors to monitor room occupancy, and window film to reflect solar heat during the summer while retaining heat during the winter;

 

-- Replacing steam heat with high-efficiency natural gas hot water boilers; and

 

-- Recaulking the building's exterior.

 

By making the energy-saving improvements to the Rachel Carson Building, DGS estimates it will save taxpayers approximately $8.6 million in utility and operational savings over the next 15 years.

While not a part of the Energy Star rating, DGS also installed low-flow restroom fixtures throughout the building that save approximately 130,000 gallons of water monthly.

 

The energy-saving work to the Rachel Carson Building was accomplished through the state's Guaranteed Energy-Savings Act, or GESA program.

 

The GESA program allows governmental agencies, school districts and other entities to begin energy improvements through certified energy contractors with no up-front capital costs. The cost-savings achieved by the energy improvements covers the project costs, essentially making the work "budget neutral."

 

According to EPA, commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star rating use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Built in 1992, the Rachel Carson building is named for Pennsylvania native Rachel Carson, a respected environmentalist and acclaimed author who died in 1964. The 362,431 square foot building houses more than 1,400 employees of several state agencies.

 

One of the building's major tenants is the Department of Environmental Protection, the state agency responsible for protecting natural resources and addressing the need to conserve energy.

 

"We applaud our partners at DGS for taking the lead to reduce energy consumption in state office buildings and taking the initiative to protect the environment," said Acting DEP Secretary John Hanger. "We are collectively demonstrating by example the importance of making energy conservation a significant part of our efforts now so that we are well-prepared to absorb the full impact of higher energy costs in the future."