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<p>The parliamentary estate is largely heated by burning natural gas in boilers.</p><p>The
Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme will consider the energy source options
for the Palace of Westminster in the long run. Under the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration
and Renewal Act) 2019, the Corporate Officers of the Houses have a statutory duty
to have regard to the need to protect the environment and to contribute to achieving
sustainable development in exercising their functions. Before R&R commences a
number of small projects have been completed to reduce natural gas consumption, including
the replacement of steam boilers with more efficient condensing gas boilers for hot
water and providing localised heating sources in some areas using air source heat
pumps and local electric boilers.</p><p>A portfolio of projects known as the Commons
Building and Infrastructure Portfolio (CBIP) is undertaking feasibility work for the
majority of the remaining buildings on the Parliamentary Estate. This work is evaluating
the use of electrically powered heat pumps to heat the buildings with natural gas
boilers provided as an extra form of resilience.</p>
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