Tag: clean energy dc

DC Council Unanimously Passes First Vote for Key Climate Bill

DC Council Unanimously Passes First Vote for Key Climate Bill

Groundbreaking “Clean Energy DC Act” Will Mandate 100% Clean Electricity by 2032, Expected to Become Law by End of This Year
Councilmembers Did Not Yet Vote to Remove Harmful Amendments Inserted by Pepco-Exelon, May Do So in Second Reading

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the DC Council gave preliminary approval to a landmark climate policy called the “Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018,” known as the “Clean Energy DC Act.” The Council voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which would strengthen the District’s renewable electricity requirement to 100 percent by 2032, raise money to weatherize low-income homes, and more. Councilmember Robert White (At-Large) did not vote because he was not present, but he is a co-sponsor of the bill.

The vote took place in the wake of an alarming new federal report showing climate change is already affecting Americans nationwide, including residents of DC. The Fourth National Climate Assessment, released by the Trump Administration the day after Thanksgiving in an apparent effort to reduce news coverage, paints an alarming picture of current and future economic and humanitarian harm to Americans unless the US and nations worldwide transition off of fossil fuels very quickly.

The “Clean Energy DC Act” would put DC on the fastest timeline to 100 percent clean electricity in the country — California recently passed a bill for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. It would cut DC’s total emissions almost in half by 2032. The DC Council is expected to vote on this bill for the second time on December 18, after which it will be sent to Mayor Muriel Bowser for her signature.

“Thanks to our DC Councilmembers, we are on track to pass one of the strongest climate laws in the country,” said Camila Thorndike, DC Campaign Director at the CCAN Action Fund, sister organization of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “It’s inspiring to see the full strength of our coalition in these culminating moments. I particularly applaud the Councilmembers who have taken a stance against Pepco’s closed-door tactics to monopolize our energy future, and hope the rest do the same in the second reading. If we go along with the status quo, the results will be devastating. We need a new energy policy for a new District, just blocks from Trump’s White House, and with the Clean Energy DC Act, we can make it happen.”

Today the Council also refrained from voting down a concerning amendment that could undermine the energy efficiency portion of the bill and could have a negative impact on DC ratepayers. The amendment, which was added in by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5) at the suggestion of Exelon-Pepco days before the vote, would give Pepco authority over how efficiency investments are made, undercutting the longstanding decisions DC has made to support independent-run efficiency programs instead. In the Committee of Environment and Transportation meeting on the bill, Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) explained how it could allow Pepco to “double dip” — to charge ratepayers twice for the same energy efficiency investments. Councilmember McDuffie passed out a revised version of the amendments before today’s vote just minutes before they were accepted. According to Councilmember Allen, the revised amendments addressed some of the concerns but he expects to further address the amendments before the second reading instead.

“The Sierra Club is happy the DC Council has taken the first vote in favor of what would be one of the strongest clean energy bills in the nation,” said Mark Rodeffer, Chair of the Sierra Club DC Chapter. “But our work for the climate isn’t done, and on the second vote, we ask that the Council restore a provision for long-term power purchase agreements for renewable energy. Pepco had this part of the bill killed in the dark of night, and as a result, DC’s greenhouse gas emissions will go up 8.1 percent and electricity customers’ bills will go up as well.”

“The DC Council will give my new baby girl the best gift ever — an ambitious plan to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy,” said Payal Shah Martin of Moms Clean Air Force. “It appears that enough council members support this bill to ensure that it becomes law. I can’t wait to send thank you notes to the Council after they pass this bill without secretive changes from dirty energy lobbyists.”

“D.C.’s clean energy bill is a win for working people, who are the most vulnerable to climate change. The clean energy bill will go a long way towards ensuring that clean air and water are a right for everyone, not a privilege enjoyed only by the wealthy,” said Jaime Contreras, 32BJ SEIU Vice President.

“This is a huge win for District residents and the thousands of activists who fought to make this city a global climate leader,” said Justin McCarthy, Communications Director of the DC Statehood Green Party. “I can’t think of a more fitting or symbolic place to pass the most aggressive climate legislation in the country than the nation’s capital city of Washington, DC. Make no mistake, this win is part of a larger movement both here in the District and across the country, and we have no intention of slowing down. Tomorrow we get right back to work.”

In addition to dramatically expanding the Renewable Portfolio Standard, the “Clean Energy DC Act” also takes aim at emissions from home heating and transportation. It would scale up an existing heating bill surcharge called the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF), which would raise tens of millions of dollars to finance renewable energy projects and provide assistance to low-income DC residents.

The bill would create efficiency standards for new and existing buildings and would fund local programs to assist low-income residents as the District transitions to more sustainable clean energy systems. It would also adjust the vehicle excise tax to incentivize clean cars and make owning dirty vehicles more expensive. The legislation also authorizes the District to put a price on transportation fuels if Virginia and Maryland commit to the same.

The “DC Climate Coalition” is comprised of more than 110 environmental and justice advocacy organizations, faith groups, unions, consumer advocacy organizations, DC businesses, and more.

CONTACT:
Denise Robbins, Communications Director, CCAN Action Fund, denise@chesapeakeclimate.org, 608-620-8819
Barbara Briggs, 350 DC, barbarahbriggs@gmail.com, 412-417-9384
Justin McCarthy, DC Climate Coalition, jlawrencemccarthy@gmail.com, 540-312-3797

Residents Draw The Line For Change

Residents Draw The Line For Change

By Shykeia Spinks

WASHINGTON, DC ⎼ According to 10,630 DC residents, it’s time to pass the Clean Energy DC Act. Many of them turned out yesterday, along with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), to decorate the halls of the Council with signed petitions as well as hand deliver them to council members.

CCAN kicked the day off by stringing more than 10,000 signed petitions together in a blue and green banner. Residents then, stood side by side with it to span the width of the first floor of the Council building. Together, they “drew the line” for climate action.

The inspirational event ended with DC residents going office by office with a simple message “The climate can’t wait, and neither can we.” Years of progress calls for a strong and equitable climate and clean energy policy right here in DC.

If you are a DC resident, you can lend your voice to the cause. “Send a message to your council members”, said Camila Thorndike, DC Campaign Director at the CCAN Action Fund.

“This needs to pass out of Councilmember McDuffie’s committee by November 28, if it’s then going to go to the committee of the whole for the two votes that it will need to become alive this year.” 

Passing the Clean Energy Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 puts DC economically and financially forward. Click HERE to send a message to your Councilmembers asking them to pass it today!

Click HERE to relive the excitement of the day and see a video of the historical petition drop!

 

DC Climate Advocates Hold Beach Volleyball “Flash Mob” Before Key Council Hearing on Historic Climate Bill

DC Climate Advocates Hold Beach Volleyball “Flash Mob” Before Key Council Hearing on Historic Climate Bill

Event Signifies “Endless Summer” to Come Without Serious Climate Action like the Groundbreaking “Clean Energy DC Act”

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, dozens of climate advocates in beach gear played volleyball on Freedom Plaza before the DC Council held its final hearing on the country’s strongest bill to address climate change. The action signifies the harmful “endless summer” that would come without swift, immediate climate action from the DC Council like the “Clean Energy DC Act.”

In the spirited event, more than 30 activists — dressed with pool noodles, beach floaties, lifeguard t-shirts, and a shark costume, played with a giant inflatable Earth in front of the Wilson Building before the key climate hearing. “Despite the lighthearted nature of this event, we are terrified of the year-round August temperatures we face without climate action,” said Camila Thorndike, DC Campaign Director at the CCAN Action Fund. “Deadly heat waves, infectious mosquitos, and disastrous flooding are the nightmare of an endless summer. We are tired of politicians playing games with our lives and futures. We are grateful that the DC Council is approaching this existential crisis with the urgency and seriousness it demands with the Clean Energy DC Act.”

Initial photos available via Twitter hereand Facebook Live video available here.

The event preceded a hearing in the Committee of Business and Economic Development, where more than 80 advocates have signed up to testify in support of the bill (out of 109 total). Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (Ward 5) chairs that committee, and activists are looking to him to bring the bill out of his committee to a full floor vote.

“By passing this bill, DC will become nation’s undisputed leader in battle against climate change, taking the first of many significant steps in paving a sustainable future for humanity for generations to come,” said Nikhil Balakumar, founder of the Greentel Group.

The climate crisis has reached a new level of urgency since the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report finding that the world has 12 years to take drastic action and prevent catastrophe. The report calls for global carbon emissions to be cut in half by 2030 and for fossil fuels to be almost entirely phased out by 2050. The “Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018,” or “Clean Energy DC Act,” is seen as the District’s answer to the IPCC. It takes a comprehensive approach to reducing carbon emissions, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 49.4 percent by 2032 according to an initial analysis from the Department of Energy and Environment.

“We hope that passing strong climate legislation in the nation’s capital that meets the goals of the IPCC report will set an example of smart energy policy that works and inspire Congress to act,” said Stephanie Doyle, National Outreach and Partnership Coordinator at Citizens Climate Lobby.

Advocates in favor of the Clean Energy DC Act represent faith communities, justice advocacy groups, small businesses, environmental groups, and more. “For dozens of faith groups throughout the District, climate change and clean energy is a moral issue that deeply affects our communities,” said Avery Davis Lamb, Director of Faithful Advocacy at Interfaith Power and Light (DC.MD.NoVA). “That’s why representatives from diverse DC religious communities are coming together today to speak out in faith to support the Clean Energy DC Act.”

The bill is formally supported by eight of the 13 members of the DC Council, with Councilmembers Mary Cheh (Ward 3), Charles Allen (Ward 6), Trayon White (Ward 8), Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1), and Chairman Phil Mendelson co-introducing the bill, and Councilmembers Vincent Gray (Ward 7), Robert White Jr. (At-Large), and David Grosso (At-Large) co-sponsoring it. Councilmember Brandon Todd (Ward 4) has tweeted his support for it as well.

This bill had its first hearing on October 9 in the Committee of Transportation and the Environment on October 9, which is chaired by Councilmember Mary Cheh (Ward 3), who introduced the bill. About 90 people signed up to testify, and nearly all of them testified in strong support. That hearing was covered in the Washington Post, NPR, and many other outlets.

The “Clean Energy DC Act” would strengthen the District’s renewable electricity requirement to 100 percent by 2032 through the Renewable Portfolio Standard. This would put DC on the fastest timeline to 100 percent clean electricity in the country — California recently passed a bill for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045.

It also would create groundbreaking efficiency standards for new and existing buildings and would fund local programs to assist low-income residents as the city transitions to more sustainable clean energy systems.

In addition, this legislation takes aim at emissions from home heating and transportation. It would scale up an existing heating fee called the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF), which would raise up to $70 million to finance renewable energy projects and provide assistance to low-income DC residents. It would also adjust the vehicle excise tax to incentivize clean cars and make owning dirty vehicles more expensive. The legislation also authorizes the District to put a price on transportation fuels if Virginia and Maryland commit to the same.

This bill is supported by the “DC Climate Coalition,” which is comprised of more than 110 environmental and justice advocacy organizations, faith groups, unions, consumer advocacy organizations, D.C. businesses, and more.

CONTACT:
Denise Robbins, Communications Director, CCAN Action Fund, denise@chesapeakeclimate.org, 608-620-8819
Barbara Briggs, 350 DC, barbarahbriggs@gmail.com, 412-417-9384
Justin McCarthy, DC Climate Coalition, jlawrencemccarthy@gmail.com, 540-312-3797

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WEBINAR: All about DC’s new climate bill

This fall, we plan to act with incredible force and focus here in the nation’s capital, by mastering the details of Councilmember Mary Cheh’s recently introduced Clean Energy DC Act.

The DC Council reconvenes in September, just over one month away. We need to push a strong and equitable Clean Energy DC Act across the finish line before the session ends this year! That will take all of us, passionate and determined as ever to save the places and people we love.

There’s a lot of new details in this bill, and a lot to learn — and now YOU have a chance to get up to speed.

Last week, key organizers for this campaign held a webinar explaining everything you need to know about DC’s new climate bill. Watch, then email Camila if you have any questions!