in operation since December 1, 1910.
This appropriation is for the operation and maintenance of the Capitol Power Plant, which has been
It provides heating and air conditioning refrigeration for the
Capitol, Senate and House Office Buildings, and Library of Congress Buildings; heat for the United States
Government Printing Office and the Washington City Post Office,
Botanic Garden; heat and air conditioning for the Senate and House Garages; and steam heat for the
and steam heat and air conditioning for
the Folger Shakespeare Library, Union Station complex, the U. S. Supreme Court Building, and the Thurgood
Marshall Federal Judiciary 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
Power Plant was discontinued.
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
The energy purchased 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.
Complex will be paid to the D.C. Government pursuant to P.L. 101-168.
In addition to heat, air conditioning and electricity, water and sewer services for the Capitol
percent increase over 1992.
The steam generated by the Capitol Power Plant in fiscal year 1993 was 1,304,737,000 pounds, a 2.6
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.
increase over 1992.
The output of the re-
frigeration plant in fiscal year 1993 was approximately 88,923,292 ton-hours of refrigeration, a 7.6
The total authorized strength for the Capitol Power Plant staff is 101 positions.