DC Council Passes Legislation to Boost Use of Renewable Energy
Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Act Passes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the DC Council approved the Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Act, B21-0650, to increase the District’s requirement to obtain electricity from renewable sources. This legislation increases the current goal of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020 to 50 percent renewables by 2032, while also increasing the amount from solar energy generated in the District from 2.5 percent to 5 percent. Furthermore, the bill creates a new “Solar for All” program to expand access to the benefits of solar power for seniors, small businesses, nonprofits, and low income households.
In response to the Council’s vote, Matthew Gravatt, Chair of the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club, stated, “The DC Sierra Club commends the Council and the bill’s sponsor, Councilmember Mary Cheh, for passing legislation that will reduce air pollution, combat climate change, and greatly expand access for low-income and elderly District residents to the cost-cutting benefits of solar power.”
Lara Levison, Clean Energy Committee Chair, commented, “May 2016 was the hottest month on record for the planet since modern record keeping began. With global warming occurring at a rapid clip, it is essential that we accelerate our transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable energy, as well as more efficient use of energy. This bill will bring the District’s renewable energy law into alignment with the Sustainable DC plan, increasing the use of renewable energy to 50 percent by 2032, and help reduce carbon pollution that is the main cause of global warming.”
“Solar power has already created 1000 jobs in the District,” said Claudia Barragan, Environmental Justice Committee Chair, “but few of these jobs are located in Wards 8, 7, 5, or 4, and are held by people of color. The DC Sierra Club will work with the District government to ensure that the new Solar for All program brings good-paying jobs to low-income communities as well as increasing access to low or no cost solar panels for low-income residents.”
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The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the country. The Washington, DC Chapter comprises more than 3,600 members and supporters in Washington, DC and is actively involved in local conservation initiatives and in elections; the Chapter hosts a wide range of environmental and conservation focused events and volunteer opportunities.