USA: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Commits to Energy-Efficient Government

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen on Monday joined former U.S. Sen. John Warner at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in a bipartisan effort to show support for a more energy-efficient government. Having toured several shipyard facilities Monday morning, the pair held a joint briefing outside the yard’s gates. They were joined by representatives of U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine.

Shaheen, who is a co-sponsor of bipartisan energy efficient legislation, The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011, said she’s always considered the local shipyard near and dear to her heart. The bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources earlier this month with strong support from both parties.

With hopes of bringing her legislation to the Senate floor in the fall, Shaheen said she believes the shipyard is setting an example when it comes to energy efficiency. She said her legislation would build upon the Navy’s work using energy-saving measures as an effective way to save money and create jobs for American workers.

There are a lot of jobs to be created,” Shaheen said.

During her visit, Shaheen spoke about the energy saving measures under way at the shipyard and explained how her bill would help incentivize similar projects. In addition to energy-efficient boilers and green-roof buildings, the local shipyard also has what is known as a cogeneration system in the base’s power plant and a solar array that backs up the emergency communication system. She was pleased to learn the shipyard has plans to develop energy metering infrastructure that will allow the base to better manage energy consumption.

The technologies that we saw here today are a perfect example of energy efficiency measures that can save our taxpayer dollars and keep the United States competitive in the global economy,” Shaheen said. “The Navy has been leading the way on reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and my energy-efficiency legislation would make it easier for others to follow its example. Energy efficiency is an effective and affordable way to start tackling the economic and national security challenges we face.”

Warner, who is now a senior adviser with the Pew Project, said finding energy savings in areas involving the Department of Defense will be crucial in the years to come. Having spent 30 years in the Senate, some of them as chairman of the Armed Forces Committee, Warner lauded the local shipyard for its ongoing efforts in the area of energy savings. “This shipyard should be on the poster of achievement when it comes to bases around the country,” he said.

Warner said he is on a summer-long tour with the Pew Project, visiting a series of bases throughout the country and highlighting the importance of energy innovation of military installations. “At military bases and installations across America, our men and women in uniform are taking the lead on energy efficiency initiatives,” he said. “At the historic Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, uniformed and civilian personnel are working to increase the base’s energy security — examples being greener buildings and use of solar power as backup for communications systems. I especially commend the Portsmouth yard for their use of cogeneration technology, which results in substantial financial savings and serves as a model for other military bases.”

With Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold and Silver-certified facilities, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is one of four remaining naval shipyards in the country and has been nationally recognized for its efficient green building design, construction, and operations. The shipyard recently converted two of its four power plant boilers to natural gas as part of an award winning comprehensive energy plan.

(shaheen.senate)

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Source: shaheen.senate, August 1, 2011; Image:navsea