Obama intends to make White House the greenest it has ever been
September 15th, 2009 - 4:00 pm ICT by ANIWashington, September 15 (ANI): Reports indicate that US President Barrack Obama intends to make the White House the greenest it has ever been, during his stay at the place.
According to a report in Environmental News Network (ENN), upon first entering the White House, President Obama had said, “Each of us have a role to play in not being wasteful when it comes to energy. Part of what I want to do is to show the American people it’s not that hard.”
The Obama family put those words into action very quickly from first lady Michelle Obama’s organic herb and vegetable garden on the south lawn to the Obama girls’ green swing-set made of recycled materials, shredded tires and nontoxic dyes.
Obama plans to earn a LEED certification to make the White House the greenest it has ever been.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification was developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) to measure and reward buildings and communities that implement green building design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
Greening a home is no easy task, but with the historic status and required security of the White House, the Obama family has their work cut out for them.
According to Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and President of the USGBC, “LEED certification of the White House is absolutely possible and viable.”
On top of the availability of recycling in the East and West Wings, White House drinking fountains - which apparently did not accommodate the refilling of water-bottles - are even being modified to make the process much easier.
White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) spokesperson, Christine Glunz, said that the effort to get the White House to LEED certification includes energy and water systems as well as waste.
CEQ is looking to reduce the carbon footprint of the White House by implementing computerized energy management systems, automatic light sensors that turn off in unoccupied rooms and low-flow water valves.
Paints and sealers with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biodegradable cleaners and recycled equipment will all be used by White House groundskeepers and engineers, according to a White House spokesperson.
Window films that will lower UV rays and save energy will also be added.
Any leftover materials from White House renovations and demolitions will be donated to local reuse organizations. (ANI)
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Tags: barrack obama, carbon footprint, council on environmental quality, design construction, drinking fountains, energy management systems, environmental design, environmental news, glunz, leed certification, light sensors, michelle obama, organic herb, recycled materials, shredded tires, unoccupied rooms, vegetable garden, water bottles, water systems, west wings
