Greening the White House: a Comprehensive Energy and Environmental Retrofit

This report describes RMI’s experience with the “Greening the White House” project. In this initiative, the Clinton administration analyzed, designed, and implemented a program to improve the energy use in the building. The White House has had a long tradition of demonstrating technological innovation. In keeping with that tradition, the Clinton administration initiated a comprehensive analysis, design, and implementation program to improve the energy and environmental performance of the White House and Old Executive Office Building. The effort, led by an intergovernmental-agency team, consisted of six components—audit, feasibility study, early actions, demonstration spaces, long-term initiatives, and technology transfer/outreach. These components were implemented to improve energy and water efficiency, make appropriate use of renewable energy sources, reduce waste streams, improve indoor air quality, and improve building comfort and performance. All of the measures were designed to limit disruption of the facility’s operations and in a way that respected the historic and security concerns of America’s most famous house. This paper provides an outline of the Greening the White House project. “