Capitol Power Plant-Continued Additions-Continued An expenditure of $7,500 is proposed for installation of high-intensity lighting along the It is believed that the installation of this protective lighting will, in itself, considerably reduce incidences of unauthorized entry into the plant's property. In addition to this protective measure, it is recommended that $7,500 be expended for the installation of a closed-circuit television system, consisting of 4 cameras, 4 monitors, weatherproof equipment, wiring, and miscellaneous accessories. Such an installation would further reduce unauthorized entries by continuous visual detection. It is proposed to install the cameras at the high points of the building or on adjacent structures. 1 camera, with a standard lens, would be focused on the main entrance gate on the north side of the property. The other 3 cameras, with wide angle lenses, would be directed at the south gate and at the 2 truck gates, with adequate range to include the cooling towers at the southeast corner of the property. The 4 monitors, each connected to 1 of the 4 cameras, would be located in the operating area on the first floor of the plant, where they could be periodically observed 24 hours each day, or as required. If these funds are allowed, it is believed that adequate protection can be provided for this plant, which is essential to the operations of the Congress. Subtotal.. Total estimate for 1967. STOKER REHABILITATION $15,000 +82,000 2,778,000 Mr. ANDREWs. While you label this a nonrecurring item for stoker rehabilitation, $45,000, do we understand the $45,000 will in fact recur twice more in successive years? In other words, are we dealing here with a $135,000 proposition or what? Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, that is correct. Mr. ANDREWS. Explain that. Mr. HENLOCK. Mr. Chairman, there are three large steam generators at the Capitol Power Plant that burn coal for fuel. They were placed in operation in 1954 and they have reached the point where the spreader stokers must be replaced. We cannot replace all three at one time because it would disrupt the service and Mr. Rubel has recommended that we do one each year, 1967, 1968 and 1969. We call it nonrecurring in the sense it will not add to the annual maintenance expense over a period of years. Mr. Rubel can explain the technical problems. Mr. ANDREWS. It is just a part of the equipment and it has to be replaced? Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir. We point out each stoker has burned about 130,000 tons of coal during a period of about 60,000 hours of operation. This is a matter of ordinary wear and tear. In private industry, stoker grates are amortized in periods ranging from 10 to 15 years' operation. PROTECTIVE LIGHTING AND VISUAL DETECTION SYSTEM Mr. ANDREWS. The next item is $15,000 for "Protective lighting and visual detection system." Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir. We are asking $15,000 to provide adequate security and protection for the Capitol Power Plant. This $12 million installation is vital to the proper functioning of the Capitol, Senate and House Office Buildings, Library of Congress Buildings, Supreme Court Building, Government Printing Office, and other buildings and activities supplied with steam and refrigeration from the plant. At present, the plant is open, dav and night, to anyone who may desire to enter the plant or its grounds. Providing round-the-clock armed guards was considered, but being a costly proposition, is not recommended. Instead, funds are requested for 1967 to provide for improved lighting of the grounds and for installation of a closed-circuit television system, similar to systems now employed by the Department of Defense, other Government agencies, and in private industry, which will provide a reasonable degree of security against trespassers, regardless of their intent, and safeguard the plant against vandalism and illegal entry with malicious intent. Of this allotment, $7,500 is proposed for installation of highintensity lighting along the boundary line fence enclosing the grounds of the plant, in replacement of existing inadequate lighting. The necessary lighting standards and mercury vapor lamps required for this purpose are now available in surplus stock, having been recently removed from the former parking lot south of the Longworth House Office Building that ceased to be used for such purpose upon commencement of construction of an underground garage in that location. The $7,500 will cover the cost of installing the 25 lighting standards and the lamps now available; also, the procurement and installation of the necessary cables, controls and accessories. The Metropolitan Police Department advocates that public streets, parking lots, and other public areas in the District of Columbia, be equipped with high-intensity lighting in the interest of the public safety, and the action proposed to be taken at the Capitol Power Plant will be in conformity with this practice. It is believed that the installation of this protective lighting will, in itself, considerably reduce incidences of unauthorized entry into the plant's property. In addition to this protective measure, it is recommended that $7,500 be expended for the installation of a closed-circuit television system, consisting of four cameras, four monitors, weatherproof equipment, wiring, and miscellaneous accessories. Such an installation would further reduce unauthorized entries by continuous visual detection. It is proposed to install the cameras at the high points of the building or on adjacent structures. One camera, with a standard lens, would be focused on the main entrance gate on the north side of the property. The other three cameras, with wide-angle lenses, would be directed at the south gate and at the two truck gates, with adequate range to include the cooling towers at the southeast corner of the property. The four monitors, each connected to one of the four cameras, would be located in the operating area on the first floor of the plant, where they could be periodically observed 24 hours each day, or as required. If these funds are allowed, it is believed that adequate protection can be provided for this plant, which is essential to the operations of the Congress. Mr. Rubel prepared this estimate and recommended the item to the Architect of the Capitol. If you wish anything explained beyond my statement, he can explain it to you. Mr. ANDREWS. You refer a number of times to instances of unauthorized entry into the plant's property. Have you had many of those instances? Mr. RUBEL. We have had them on several occasions. Young boys gain access to the grounds even though there is a fence all around the property, but there are trees on the street side of the fence and by climbing the trees and crawling out on the branches they can get over the fence. Mr. ANDREWS. Has any damage been done? Mr. RUBEL. No, sir. We are primarily concerned about their own safety. Mr. ANDREWS. Is there any kind of pool they could use for swimming? Mr. RUBEL. No, sir. I brought some photographs. This shows the east side of the plant. The Capitol Power Plant is located on a city block containing about 7% acres. This photograph shows the cooling tower and over here are the trees I am referring to. These towers are about 40 feet high and at the top there are four large fans with exposed rotating blades. Contact with the fan blades could result in serious injury. There are also some high-voltage installations on the plant grounds. Mr. ANDREWS. You have had no instances where property was damaged? Mr. RUBEL. No, sir. We have had thefts of tools, anything that can be carried out. We have found prowlers going through the building late at night. PERSONNEL Mr. ANDREWS. How many people are employed at the plant? Mr. ANDREWS. That would give you about 25 on each shift? Mr. HENLOCK. Eighty-seven is the total including the supervisory staff. Mr. ANDREWS. But you have about 25 or so on each shift? PURCHASE OF POWER Mr. ANDREWS. You purchase your power? Mr. HENLOCK. Originally, after we converted half of our buildings to 60-cycle alternating current in 1950, we purchased half our power requirements. We discontinued the generation of electrical energy at the plant altogether in 1951, and have since been purchasing all of our electrical energy. Mr. ANDREWs. You buy that locally? Mr. HENLOCK. From the public utility, yes. Mr. ANDREWS. What is your public utility bill? Mr. HENLOCK. We have an allotment of-how much is that? Mr. ANDREWS. On page 115 it shows that the estimated cost of the purchase of electrical energy in 1967 will be $1,355,000, which is what it was in 1966. Now this $1,355,000 is part of your budget request for $2,778,000? Mr. STEWART. That is right. Mr. ANDREWS. Since you are buying all of your power now from private utilities, do you still need the 87 employees? Mr. RUBEL. Yes, sir. Those employees are needed for operating the steamplant that furnishes the steam for heating all the buildings on Capitol Hill, including the Government Printing Office, the Post Office and the Folger Library. Mr. ANDREWS. What the powerplant does now is furnish heat and air conditioning for the buildings on Capitol Hill? Mr. RUBEL. Yes, sir. That is why "powerplant" is a misnomer. We do not generate electrical energy. Mr. ANDREWS. How does your budget compare now with what it did at the time you furnished, in addition to heat and air conditioning, electric power for the Capitol Hill buildings? Mr. RUBEL. The only figures I have in mind are, in 1950 at the end of the generating period, we were consuming 40 million kilowatthours per year on Capitol Hill. That has since increased to about 110 million kilowatt-hours. Mr. ANDREWS. Of course you have more space now. Mr. RUBEL. Yes, sir. COAL CONSUMPTION Mr. ANDREWS. How about your coal consumption? Mr. RUBEL. That runs an average of 34,000 tons a year, depending on weather conditions. Mr. ANDREWS. I see you are getting "slack" coal from West Virginia. Mr. Slack, we will let you go into this. Mr. SLACK. No questions, Mr. Chairman. Mr. ANDREWs. Mr. Langen. PROTECTIVE LIGHTING AND VISUAL DETECTION SYSTEM Mr. LANGEN. Just one question with regard to the item for a protective lighting and visual detection system. If and when the installation is made, will that light up the whole grounds? Mr. RUBEL. Yes, sir. The installations recently completed are properly illuminated now, but the old areas are not adequately lighted. The Police Department feels that the high-intensity illumination in parking grounds has a psychological deterrent effect on prowlers. I think that argument has some merit. In addition, if we are granted this money for the closed television set, which is a means of detecting prowlers visually, we would need additional artificial illumination for effective operation of the television cameras at night. PATROLLING THE POWER PLANT GROUNDS Mr. LANGEN. I notice there is a probability of patrolling the area. Is it patrolled at all now other than the regular Metropolitan police? Do you have any patrolling there at all for guards? Mr. HENLOCK. The grounds are patrolled by the Capitol Police. Under the law that is one of their duties, to police all the buildings in the legislative group, which includes the Power Plant. They are not there, of course, 24 hours daily. Mr. LANGEN. Have they had any unusual experience with prowling? Mr. RUBEL. The operators of the plant have been aware and have actually detected prowlers but since the operators are the only ones on duty after regular working hours there is nobody else available to detect unauthorized persons. Mr. LANGEN. In the event there is not anyone around are you lighting up the place better so that a prowler could find his way around better? Mr. RUBEL. I would not recommend just putting in the improved illumination without having the closed television system. Incidentally, such systems have been developed within the last couple of years and are now being used extensively in industrial plants throughout the country for the same purpose. It is considered more effective for detecting prowlers, and, of course, much more economical than having a force of patrolmen on a three-shift basis. Mr. LANGEN. What is the status of this television project? Is it approved and about to be installed? Mr. RUBEL. We are requesting the money in this request. Mr. LANGEN. And if granted it will become part of the protection for the plant? Mr. RUBEL. Yes, sir. Mr. LANGEN. That is all, Mr. Chairman. Mr. REIFEL. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Mr. Ridgell, do the people who do the cleaning up there have instructions to turn the lights off when they are through? Most of the time they do, but frequently I get to my office and lights are still on. Mr. RIDGELL. They are instructed to turn them off in the office after they are through; yes, sir. Mr. REIFEL. I suppose it is something you have to keep after. Mr. REIFEL. I want to compliment the people who do the cleaning. They do a fine job so far as my office is concerned. I hope others have the same experience. Along with other things I want to pass that accolade along to your people who do the cleaning. Mr. RIDGELL. Thank you. Mr. REIFEL. That is all, Mr. Chairman. REQUEST FOR CARRYOVER OF $25,000 FOR TRUCKS Mr. STEWART. I have one other item I would like to present at this point, Mr. Chairman. Mr. ANDREWS. All right. This is a request for a carryover item. Insert the statement. (The statement follows:) |