Clean Energy DC News: August 2022 Edition

Mayor Signs Two Climate Bills  

On July 27, the Mayor signed two climate bills unanimously approved by the Council that will help the District realize its climate goals. The Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 requires most new and substantially renovated buildings to meet a net-zero-energy standard, meaning they must produce as much renewable energy as they consume on an annual basis.  A second bill, Climate Commitment Amendment Act of 2022, requires the District to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 60% below 2006 levels by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. It also, among other things, requires the District government to reduce emissions from its operations to net-zero five years earlier, by 2040. Prior to the Climate Commitment Act, the District has set a goal of reducing it’s emissions 50% by 2032 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.  You can read the two bills here! 

Clean Energy DC Award Winner 

Perkins Eastman was awarded the 2022 Clean Energy DC Award for the design of the District's first two schools pursuing net-zero energy: John Lewis Elementary School and Banneker Academic High School. Congratulations to Perkins Eastman and their government partners, DC Public Schools and the Department of General Services.  You can watch the awards event on YouTube and/or check out our website for more information.  

Building Innovation Hub Announces BEPS Ambassadors 

To help provide the local building industry with accurate and up-to-date information relating to Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), the Building Innovation Hub is excited to announce their first cohort of Hub Ambassadors! These experts have been equipped with information and presentations to help you navigate the BEPS regulations and they're prepared to discuss the details, nuances, and long-term considerations when planning for compliance with BEPS. Sign up here to schedule a presentation by a Hub Ambassador! 

PSC Approves 15-year Renewable Energy PPA for Portion of Default Electric Service  

The District’s Public Service Commission has approved the first long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) for renewable energy to serve a target quantity of 5% of the Standard Offer Service (SOS) electricity supply load beginning in December 2024 (Formal Case No. 1017). This agreement results from the Commission’s directive to implement a pilot program to procure renewable energy through long-term power purchase agreements for electricity generated by new solar or wind power facilities located within the PJM Interconnection (PJM) region.  This action stems in part from a directive in the Clean Energy DC Plan, which calls for the electric utility to provide the Standard Offer Service through aggregated power purchase agreements, with a target of providing at least 70% of the SOS through renewable energy PPAs.   

With the Clean Energy DC Building Code Amendment Act of 2022 calling for all-electric buildings, let us revisit the original building electrification movement.  In what year was electricity first installed in Washington’s most famous building, The White House?   

Please submit your answer to Jennifer.Johnston@dc.gov.