Reduction of the peak electrical load supplied by PEPCO can be accomplished by installing an alternate electric power source consisting of generators designed to operate for a minimum amount of time to reduce the peak demand. Based on 1980 electrical consumption data, a peak demand of 17,400 K.W. could have been maintained by operating a 3,000 K.W. generator for approximately 60 hours. This would have reduced the annual Capitol Power Plant electrical cost by $236,100. These savings compared to installation cost result in a payback period of approximately 4 years.

An added benefit is that an emergency power source is available for insuring continued operation of the Capitol Power Plant in the event of power loss from PEPCO. The cost of this emergency generator would be approximately $100,000 if installed separately.

Following is an analysis of the cost/benefit comparison which indicates a four year time period to recover initial expenditures.

This appropriation is for the operation and maintenance of the Capitol Power Plant, which has been in operation since December 1, 1910. It covers heat, light, power and air conditioning refrigeration for the Capitol, Senate and House Office Buildings, and Library of Congress Buildings; heat, light, and power for the United States Botanic Garden, and the Senate and House Garages; light for the Capitol Grounds street, park and floodlighting systems; and steam heat for the Government Printing Office, the Washington City Post Office, and steam heat and air conditioning for the Folger Shakespeare Library and the U. S. Supreme Court Building on a reimbursable basis. The Architect of the Capitol performs his duties in connection with the plant under authority of the Act of March 4, 1911 (36 Stat. 1414).

All electrical energy is now being purchased from the local public utility. Approximately
one-half of the electrical load at the Capitol Power Plant has been purchased since September
1950, and the remaining one-half load since September 1951 when generation of all electrical
energy at the Capitol Power Plant was discontinued. The energy purchase for all buildings and

grounds under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol is now 60-cycle alternating
current, having been converted from 25-cycle alternating current during the period 1951 - 1963
under funds allowed for such purpose by Congress.

The steam generated by the Capitol Power Plant in the fiscal year 1980 was 833 million
pounds. The steam was supplied to the various buildings served through approximately 3 miles of
steam lines. The new steam generators, new tunnel and steam lines, installed under the Capitol
Power Plant Changes and Improvements Project, have been in service since 1954. The output of the
refrigeration plant in the fiscal year 1980 was approximately 41 million ton-hours of refrigeration.

A work force of 104 employees, the same as allowed for 1981, is required for 1982 for the
operation of the Capitol Power Plant.

Purchase of Steam from GSA for House Annex #2

315,000

Purchase of Chilled Water from GSA for House Annex #2

288,000