{"value":{"id":90789,"askingMemberId":3929,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2014-09-04T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2014-09-08T00:00:00","uin":"208348","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to reduce energy costs in his Department; and if he will make a statement.","answeringBodyId":27,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Transport","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":3974,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2014-09-09T00:00:00","answerText":"<p> </p><p>The Department for Transport has introduced a number of measures across its organisations to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.　 These include:-</p><p> </p><p><ul><li>An overarching Operations Sustainability Strategy which enables the identification, management and delivery of energy efficiency measures;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>The development and implementation of the Carbon Trust endorsed organisation specific Carbon Management Plans by the Central Department and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (former Driving Standards Agency estate);</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Rationalisation of offices to maximise the efficient and effective use of office space;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Relocation of staff to more appropriate sites where functions have diminished or changed;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Partial closing of buildings during low occupancy periods (i.e. Christmas, New Year);</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Optimising Building Management Systems to minimise the use of heating and cooling;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Installation of boiler optimisation controls to improve boiler efficiency;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Installation of voltage optimisation equipment at large administrative buildings to reduce electricity consumption;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Lighting improvement programmes (including the installation of LED lights where appropriate and Passive Infrared (PIR) controls);</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Optimisation of IT servers;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Improvements to building insulation;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Updating desktop IT with more efficient models;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Rationalisation of peripheral IT equipment such as printers and faxes with the introduction of Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs);</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Installation of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, air source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells where appropriate and cost effective;</li></ul></p><p> </p><p><ul><li>Motorway lighting switch off scheme between Midnight and 5AM in pre-assessed areas of the motorway network.</li></ul></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The Department for Transport is committed to achieving all its sustainability targets and lowering energy costs through improving energy efficiency is seen as a key element in attaining that goal.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Energy","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/90789","method":"GET"}]}