Greening the White House

In his Earth Day 1993 address, President Clinton announced plans for an energy-efficiency and environmental retrofit of the White House. The American Institute of Architects is conducting a feasibility study for the project. Results of the study, which addresses indoor air quality, material choices, and energy efficiency, are to be presented to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, for detailed audits of the property. Both the East and West Wings, as well as the office complex, will be included.

Once the audits are complete, they will be turned over to the General Services Administration with suggestions for implementation. According to Carl Costello of AIA, the recommendations will cover both low-cost, short term measures and longer-term improvements. The Clinton Administration hopes to have results to report by Earth Day, 1994.