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Meeting the Institution's utilities costs for current buildings and programs continues to represent the primary additional resource requirement of the plant services function during the planning period. Utilities costs will amount to about $11,000,000 in FY 1981 and are expected to be around $20,000,000 by FY 1986 (including the Museum Support Center), an increase largely attributable to rate increases. However, the proper maintenance and operation of utilities distribution equipment and the installation of a computerized power management system have minimized the effect of these rate increases. The Institution's formalized Energy Management Program has improved the monitoring and control of utility consumption, and an employee awareness program is being expanded. Modifications to exhibit and office lighting systems have reduced the consumption of electricity. Changes to these systems, for example, include of more efficient lamps, the addition of conveniently located switches, and reductions in lighting levels and periods of operation. During the period FY 1978-FY 1980, the Institution has avoided an estimated $1,500,000 in utilities costs as a result of these energy conservation measures. A master plan for energy conservation is being developed to establish additional energy reduction goals and methods for accomplishment. In addition, substantial resources will be provided from the Restoration and Renovation of Buildings Account to renovate heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems in order to achieve ever greater energy savings. Over the past several years, the installation of the equipment monitoring system permitted the redirection of about 25 staff-years of effort in support of preventive maintenance and other operations. This redirection of staff resources has both improved services and held down the need for additional positions for operations in such areas as materials management, work control and general maintenance.

Significant additional staff and related financial resources for the plant services function be required only for the Museum Support Center, beginning in FY 1982. About 51 new employees will be required to operate the building's heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and to provide maintenance, repair and custodial services. This staff and operating equipment and supplies will cost about $825,000 by FY 1986. In addition, full-year costs for utilities (telephone, postage, electricity, steam, and gas) are expected to be about $800,000 in FY 1983, and about $1,100,000 by FY 1986 (assuming a 10 percent escalation rate per year).

During the planning period, the protection office will be working on several major projects in order to provide adequate security, safety and health programs for the Institution. Progress will continue toward converting from a leased security and fire protection system to an Institution-owned and controlled system. Efforts will be continued to identify and correct all areas within the Institution that contain asbestos in order to eliminate any safety hazard. Funds from the Restoration and Renovation of Buildings Account will be applied both toward the installation of the property security system and toward the removal or containment of asbestos. Steady progress has been made in meeting the staffing requirements of the Institution's security function. Last year it was reported that an additional 70 positions would be required to protect existing facilities. Position increases and the redirection of resources have reduced the requirement for additional guards to 55; incremental increases in positions and funds will continue to be requested during the planning period