[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6181-S6183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          2011 SOLAR DECATHLON

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today I wish to congratulate the 
University of Maryland, UMD, for winning the U.S. Department of 
Energy's 2011 Solar Decathlon competition. The competition is organized 
by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, America's premier 
laboratory for research and development regarding renewable energy and 
energy efficiency. This biennial event challenges collegiate teams from 
around the world to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses 
that are affordable to build and operate, energy-efficient, and 
aesthetically attractive. Nineteen teams representing the United 
States, China, New Zealand, Belgium, and Canada competed in this year's 
event, which was held at the National Mall's West Potomac Park.
  I am so proud of the collaborative efforts of more than 200 UMD 
students, faculty, and mentors from diverse disciplines across the 
campus who participated in making their entry, WaterShed, such a 
resounding success. Students, faculty, and mentors came from the 
College of Agriculture & Natural Resources; the School of Architecture, 
Planning & Preservation; the College of Computer, Mathematical & 
Natural Sciences; the A. James Clark School of Engineering; the 
University of Maryland Libraries; the National Center for Smart Growth 
Research & Education; and the Center for the Use of Sustainable 
Practices. Over ten academic courses were offered as part of 
WaterShed's development since the spring 2010 academic semester.
  WaterShed was inspired by concern for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, 
so the project wasn't just a successful model for energy efficiency; it 
also implemented practical solutions to preserve our precious water 
resources and manage stormwater runoff, a particularly damaging form of 
pollution to the bay.
  The Chesapeake Bay is Maryland's greatest natural resource. For 
Marylanders, this national treasure is the cornerstone of our economy 
and part of the fabric of our communities. Its restoration and 
protection have been the focal point of my work on environmental issues 
in the Senate. The University of Maryland's work in publicizing and 
promoting sustainable housing options like WaterShed for the residents 
of the Chesapeake Bay region will go a long way toward preserving this 
treasured resource. I cannot think of a more appropriate effort for the 
University of Maryland to be engaged in, and I applaud everyone's hard 
work during the past two years towards this common cause and successful 
outcome.
  The success of WaterShed is the pinnacle of a long history of 
achievement for the University of Maryland in the Solar Decathlon 
competition. The University of Maryland's initial design for the 
inaugural Solar Decathlon competition in 2002 became the foundation for 
subsequent entries. In 2002, Maryland's entry placed fourth. In 2005, 
Maryland's solar house won the People's Choice and Solar Innovation 
Awards while placing eighth overall. In 2007, Maryland's LEAFHouse won 
the People's Choice Award and received a host of other awards from 
industry and professional associations. The acronym LEAF stands for 
``Leading Everyone towards an Abundant Future.'' LEAFHouse placed 
second in the overall scoring.
  The UMD team gained valuable knowledge from the 2005 design and 
LEAFHouse, both of which are still in use for educational purposes. 
This year, the team took its vision to an even higher level with 
WaterShed. The forms of the house highlight the path of a water drop. 
The split butterfly roofline collects storm water into the core of the 
house for use. WaterShed also features a holistic approach to water 
conservation, recycling, and storm water management. These features 
include a modular constructed wetland that helps filter and recycle 
greywater from the shower, washing machine, and dishwasher; a green 
roof that slows rainwater runoff to the landscape while improving the 
house's energy efficiency; and a garden, composting system, and edible 
wall system to illustrate a complete carbon cycle program.
  So many people are involved in the Solar Decathlon. I would like to 
acknowledge several of them, including Richard J. King, Solar Decathlon 
director, and Betsy Black, sponsorship manager, at the U.S. Department 
of Energy, DOE. Other DOE personnel involved include Marilyn Burgess, 
John Chu, Sheila Dillard, Kerry Duggan, Nicole Epps, Peter Gage, Cassie 
Goldstein, David Lee, Howard Marks, Martha Oliver, Erin Pierce, Roland 
Risser, Phil West, and Janie Wise. At the National Renewable Energy 
Laboratory, Carol Anna, Susan Bond, Bob Butt, Mike Coddington, Rebecca 
Dohrn, John Enoch, Sara Farrar-Nagy, Michael Gestwick, Amy Glickson, 
Pamela Gray-Hann, Sheila Hayter, Mary Ann Heaney, Henri Hubenka, Terri 
Jones, Ron Judkoff, Alicen Kandt, Stephen Lappi, Kamie Minor, Susan 
Moon, Ruby Nahan, Michael Oakley, Sean Ong, Alexis Powers, Joe Simon, 
Jeff Soltesz, Blaise Stoltenberg, Byron Stafford, Lee Ann Underwood, 
Amy Vaughn, Mike Wassmer, and Andrea Watson all lent their support to 
the Decathlon. Contractors and other contributors include Aquilent, 
Cecile Warner, Colorado Code Consulting, D&R

[[Page S6182]]

International, Eberle Construction, Hargrove, Carolynne Harris, Linder 
& Associates, Navigant, Norton Energy R&D, Oak Ridge National 
Laboratory, Showcall, Stratacomm, and Studio Ammons.
  Yesterday, a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives said that 
the United States ``can't compete with China to make solar panels and 
wind turbines,'' and suggested that the Federal Government shouldn't 
subsidize green-energy programs. I guess he didn't visit West Potomac 
Park to see what is going on. The many creative entries in the 2011 
Solar Decathlon demonstrate to the wider public the cost effectiveness 
of houses that combine energy efficient construction and appliances 
with renewable energy systems that are available today. And even better 
homes and appliances and systems are just around the corner. Investing 
in green technologies creates jobs. Diversifying our energy sources 
creates competition, which will help to stabilize and lower energy 
prices. Thinking beyond fossil fuels buried in unstable or unreliable 
countries strengthens our national security.
  I think the Solar Decathlon represents all that, and much more. At 
this critical juncture in our nation's history, we face significant 
economic, energy, and environmental challenges. It is easy to be 
discouraged or cynical. But for each person who says, ``it can't be 
done,'' there are scores of people--especially young people--out in our 
universities and communities, in workplaces and laboratories across 
America, who reject defeatism and cynicism, who demonstrate the ``can-
do'' spirit that made America great and will restore our fortunes. 
Competitions such as the Solar Decathlon and entries such as the 
University of Maryland's Watershed provide sparkling evidence of the 
innovative and practical solutions to the intertwined problems we face. 
More importantly, they provide hope and inspiration.
  If we are going to solve our problems, we need to roll up our sleeves 
and collaborate with each other--just like the UMD team did. Scores of 
students worked on WaterShed. I am so pleased their hard work paid off 
and so proud of them. I would like to take this opportunity to 
acknowledge and salute them on this watershed accomplishment. UMD 
student team leaders included Jay Chmilewski, Major: Civil Engineering, 
Spring 2012; WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; David 
Daily (Majors: Electrical Engineering & Nanotechnology, Spring 2012), 
WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Leah Davies (Major: 
Graduate Architecture Student, Fall 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: 
Architecture, Living Systems/Landscape, Construction, Communications; 
Steve Emling (Major: Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; Isabel Enerson (Major: 
Environmental Science & Technology, Spring 2013), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, Communications; Tamir Ezzat 
(Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2013), WaterShed 
Discipline: Architecture; Michael Feldman (Major: Civil Engineering, 
Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, Construction; David 
Gavin (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Jeff Gipson (Major: Graduate 
Architecture & Real Estate Development Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Architecture, Communications; Newton Gorrell (Major: 
Graduate Architecture Student, Spring 2012); WaterShed Disciplines: 
Architecture, Construction, Communications; Joseph Ijjas (Major: Master 
of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, 
Construction, Communications; Moshe Katz (Major: Computer Science, 
Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Communications, Computer Science; 
Yehuda Katz (Major: Computer Science, Spring 2012), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Communications, Engineering, Computer Science; Lynn Khuu 
(Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: 
Architecture, Communications; Zachary Klipstein (Major: Master of 
Architecture, Spring 2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, 
Construction; Parlin Meyer (Major: Graduate Architecture Student, 
Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Architecture, Construction; Jeff 
Rappaport (Major: Bioengineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: 
Engineering, Construction; Matt Sickle (Major: Graduate Landscape 
Architecture Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Living 
Systems/Landscape; Evan Smith (Major: Civil and Environmental 
Engineering, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, 
Construction; Scott Tjaden (Major: Environmental Science& Technology, 
Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, 
Construction; Kevin Vandeman (Major: Graduate Architecture & Real 
Estate Development Student, Spring 2012), WaterShed Disciplines: 
Architecture, Construction; Nick Weadock (Major: Materials Science & 
Engineering, Spring 2013), WaterShed Disciplines: Engineering, 
Construction; Allison Wilson (Major: Master of Architecture, Spring 
2011), WaterShed Disciplines: Project Management, Architecture, 
Communications, Construction; and Veronika Zhiteneva (Major: 
Environmental Science & Technology, Spring 2013), WaterShed 
Disciplines: Living Systems/Landscape, Construction, Communications.
  Student team members include Ali Alaswadi, Benjamin Bates, Amy Chen, 
Brennan Clark, Linda Clark, Michael Craton, Natalya Dikhanov, Eric 
Gellman, James Han, Justin Heil, Justin Huang, Erik Kornfeld, John 
Kucia, Allen Meizlish, Jeffrey Sze, and Andrew Taverner.
  Extended team members included Ali Alaswadi, Sahin Arikoglu, Alex 
Atahua, Rishi Banerjee, Justin Bare, Katherine Beisler, Jacob Bialek, 
Paul Bilger, Christoper Binkley, Ian Black, Andrew Bruno, Victoria 
Chang, Wen-Hui Chen, Ethan Cowan, Justin Cullen, Diana Daisey, Adam 
Davies, Aleron Dsilva, Mariam Eshete, Eric Faughnan, Ryan Fitch, 
Meredith Friedman, Holman Gao, Louis Gbone, Philip Geilman, Phil 
Geiman, Marisa Gomez, Karen Hillis, Ananya Hiremath, Vanessa Hoffman, 
Amy Hudson, Phil Jacks, Peter James, Eric Joerdens, Christine 
Kandigian, Jacob Kunken, Christopher Leung, Arik Lubkin, Christopher 
Luther, Ryan Maisel, Bracha Mandel, Maria Martello, Zachary Martinez, 
Abe Massad, Mark Matovich, Shakira Mccall, Kenneth Morgan, Christopher 
Myers, Zachary Nerenberg, Matthew Newman, Yuchen Nie, Albert Palmer, 
Daniel Perdomo, Robert Pettit, Chau Pham, Georgina Pinnock, Kaitlin 
Pless, Olga Pushkareva, James Ramil, Mark Reese, Raheena Rehman, 
Nicolas Roldos, Boateng Rosemond, Michele Rubenstein, Michael Satoh, 
Charles Schupler, Juliet Serem, Valerie Smith, Jacob Steinberg, Michael 
Taylor, Alexander Tonetti, Marcela Trice, Katherine Vocke, Nader 
Wallerich, Luxi Wang, Amy Weber, Sofia Weller, Christine Wertz, Kiley 
Wilfong, Christine Wirth, Fawna Xiao, Diane Ye, and Jesse Yurow.
  The UMD team benefited from a lengthy list of mentors, including 
Deborah Bauer, a freelance architectural consultant who collaborated 
with communications team members for various endeavors including tour 
guide training, residents interviews, and general strategy development; 
Grant Baxter, Baxter Floors, who worked with the team to craft and 
install the bathroom woodwork and grate; Charlie Berliner, Berliner 
Construction, a ``cornerstone'' of the architecture and construction 
team; Dan Blankfeld, John J. Kirlin, LLC, who provided 30 hours' worth 
of Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) training for the 
core construction team; Joe Bolewski, Whiting Turner, who provided 
construction and carpentry mentorship to the team; Brian Borak, Booz 
Allen Hamilton, who provided expertise and assistance to the DC 
electric team; Erin Carlisle, EYP Architecture & Engineering, who 
provided Revit training and technical assistance to the drawing and 
documentation team; John Cartagirone, American Power and Light, a 
three-time UMD solar decathlon mentor and friend who worked side-by-
side with the electrical team to wire the house and install light 
fixtures; Chris Cobb, Robert Silman and Associates, who worked in 
partnership with UMD's 2007 Solar Decathlon's LEAFHouse team and 
returned this year to provide his expertise in the integration of 
architecture and structural systems; John Coventry, Coventry Lighting, 
who provided mentorship as the architecture team developed the lighting 
design; Adam Eurich, Robert Silman and Associates,

[[Page S6183]]

who worked with the team to develop structural design, analysis, 
details, and drawings; Taz Ezzat, Maryland Custom Builders, Inc., who 
collaborated with the team on the construction, transport, assembly, 
and pick/set strategies; George Fritz, Horizon Builders, who hosted 
visits from the construction team to his demonstration and mock-up 
facility where he shared best practices for building craft, 
construction, and vapor management; Julie Gabrielli, Gabrielli Design 
Studio, who provided input to the communications team on the 
development of its strategy and concept; Aditya Gaddam; Jennifer 
Gilmer, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath, who worked with the 
architecture team to design WaterShed's kitchen; Anne Hicks Harney, 
Ayes Saint Gross, who worked with the drawing and documentation team to 
finalize the project manual; Maggie Haslam; Ray Hayleck, PMSI 
Consulting, who provided cost estimating mentorship to the 
affordability team during the initial phases of estimating; Joan 
Honeyman, Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architecture, who collaborated with 
the landscape team on the landscape and plant selection; Ming Hu, HOK, 
who provided energy modeling assistance to the engineering team; Adam 
Keith, Whiting Turner, who provided construction and carpentry 
mentorship to the team; Peter Kelley, American Wind Energy Association, 
who provided media training to the team and worked with the 
communications team to develop the target market; Benson Kwong, 
enVErgie Consulting, who provided mentorship to the engineering cost 
estimating team during the design development phase; Mike Lawrence, 
National Museum of Natural History, who worked with the communications 
team to develop the house tour strategy; Dale Leidich, MTFA 
Architecture, who provided project management guidance, insight, and 
advice to the team; John Love, Love's Heating and Air, who consulted 
with the team on the heating, ventilation, and air-condition, HVAC, 
design and implementation; Kristen Markham, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, 
who consulted with the team on building envelope construction means and 
methods; Evan Merkel, Greenspring Energy, who worked with the 
electrical team to design and integrate the photovoltaic (PV) and micro 
inverter system; John Morris, Perkins Eastman, a veteran of UMD's 2007 
LEAFHouse entry and a practicing architect with a background in 
construction who provided mentorship and assistance to the construction 
team; Frank Plummer, Tremco, who served as a trusted mentor for the 
construction team and provided expertise related to construction means 
and methods for liquid applied membranes for the building envelope and 
the constructed wetlands; Don Posson, Vanderweil, a long-time teaching 
partner at UMD who reviewed the engineering and living systems design; 
Kristin Potterton, Robert Silman and Associates, who worked with the 
team to develop structural details and drawings; Tyler Sines, who 
provided mentorship to the engineering team developing the liquid 
desiccant wall; Niklas Vigener, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, who consulted 
with the team on building envelope construction means and methods; Dan 
Vlacich, Accenture, who provided expertise, assistance, and power tools 
to the DC electric team; Fred Werth, Kensington Plumbing and Heating, 
Inc., who provided master plumbing expertise and assisted the team in 
the design and installation of the solar thermal and HXEST systems and 
domestic plumbing system; Bill Wiley, the Potomac School, who 
collaborated with the engineering team to design and build WaterShed's 
smart house controls system; Jay Williams, marketing and design 
specialist for the solar home industry, who provided marketing 
assistance to the communications and marketing teams; Dan Zimmerman, 
Shapiro & Duncan, a veteran of two previous decathlons who provided 
experience and advice to the HVAC and solar thermal teams, facilitated 
donations, and provided the engineering team with his can-do 
perspective on the value of figuring things out through hands-on 
experience.
  Last but not least, I would like to congratulate the UMD faculty and 
staff, starting with the University's President and Chancellor, Dr. 
Wallace D. Loh and Dr. William E. Kirwan, respectively. Faculty team 
members included: Mike Binder, AIA LEED-AP, Lecturer in the School of 
Architecture, Planning & Preservation; Patricia Kosco Cossard, M.A., 
M.L.S., Librarian and Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning 
& Preservation; Amy Gardner, AIA LEED-AP, Associate Professor in the 
School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and Director of UMD's 
Center for the Use of Sustainable Practices, Brian Grieb, AIA LEED-AP, 
Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a 
Partner with GriD Architects in Annapolis; Dr. Keith Herold, Associate 
Professor of Bioengineering in the A. James Clark School of 
Engineering; Madlen Simon, AIA, Associate Professor and Architecture 
Program Director in the School of Architecture, Planning & 
Preservation, and a Principal at Simon Design; Dr. David Tilley, 
Associate Professor of Ecological Engineering in the College of 
Agriculture & Natural Resources, and President of the International 
Society for the Advancement of Energy Research; and Brittany Williams, 
Associate AIA LEED-AP Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning 
& Preservation, Project Designer for MTFA Architecture in Arlington, 
Virginia, and a 2007 Solar Decathlon team leader.
  What an outstanding accomplishment! Go Terps!

                          ____________________