WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Congress begins to
debate legislation that will guide our nation's energy policy for future
generations, a broad bi-partisan coalition from both chambers of Congress
will join together this week to celebrate the first "green" building on
Capitol Hill.
Members of Congress will make remarks on measures to cut U.S. energy
consumption during a time of unprecedented urgency around the globe to curb
the harmful effects of climate change, which most recently culminated in
international Live Earth concert simulcasts calling for leadership action
to effect real change.
The newly-renovated, "green" headquarters of the Friends Committee on
National Legislation (FCNL) has cut the group's energy consumption by 48
percent. A model for energy conservation, the building is expected to
receive a silver LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council
prior to the celebration.
What: Bi-partisan Congressional Delegation Celebrates FCNL "Green"
Building
When: Thursday, July 12 from 5-7 p.m.
Where: FCNL Headquarters (across the street from Hart Senate Office
Building)
245 Second Street NE, Washington, DC, 20002
"Buildings account for nearly 50 percent of U.S. energy consumption and
more than 40 percent of CO2 emissions in the United States," explains FCNL
Executive Secretary Joe Volk.
"As the House begins debate on energy legislation to mitigate the
harmful impact of climate change, FCNL seeks bi-partisan support for
promoting 'green' buildings to drastically reduce U.S. energy consumption."
Members of Congress, municipal officials, the American Institute of
Architects, and other groups have explored opportunities to replicate the
FCNL building's energy conservation design. Singular elements include a
geothermal heating and cooling system, a vegetated roof, eco-friendly
office furniture, natural lighting enhancements, bamboo floors, and
user-controlled environmental features.
Interviews, photos opportunities, and tours are available for members
of the media. For additional information and a virtual tour of the
building, please visit http://www.fcnl.org/building.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation, the oldest registered
religious lobby in Washington, is a non-partisan Quaker lobby in the public
interest. FCNL works with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of
people from every state in the U.S. to advocate for social and economic
justice, peace, and good government. For more information:
http://www.fcnl.org.
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