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December 2023

Image Credit: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

The District has several goals on the horizon related to green energy and reduced emissions:

• Net-zero energy new construction building codes by 2026
• 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
• 100% renewable electricity by 2032
• 15% of electricity from local solar by 2041

What’s one common thread related to achieving these goals? Green jobs! To increase efficiency, reduce energy use, and shift energy to clean, renewable sources, we need more trained professionals in a variety of fields. Thankfully the District is investing in resources and training programs to build out the green workforce that can transition us to a sustainable future.

One example is the DC Green Buildings Career Map, a new interactive tool that allows users to map out career paths in the green building industry. The tool includes typical salary ranges as well as skills and certifications needed for each position. Another initiative is the Green Trades DC Program, which recruits and trains District residents 18 and up to prepare for careers as journeymen electricians. The program is made possible by a grant from the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Keep an eye out for marketing campaigns around the city to recruit participants. Interested applicants can fill out a brief survey and someone will reach out to them.

Curious about more options for green jobs and workforce development? Check out the recently revamped Green Pathways page from DOEE for key ways to get in to the green workforce.

Carbon Free DC Released On December 1, while attending the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit in Dubai, Mayor Bowser released Carbon Free DC, the District’s comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. This plan identifies key actions necessary to reduce the District’s contribution to global emissions while also creating a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable DC. To learn more about the Carbon Free DC strategy, check out this story map. The full strategy and supporting strategic policy roadmap are available at doee.dc.gov/service/climate-change.

First Green Food Report Released The first report on the District’s efforts to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions and related policy recommendations was released on December 1. The report is one of the requirements of The Green Food Purchasing Amendment Act of 2021. It includes a baseline for the District’s food-related emissions, a pathway to a 25% reduction in total food-related emissions by 2030, and next steps. Read the full Green Food Report.

Reuse DC Holiday Guide Available Ring in the holiday season this year with Reuse DC! The Reuse DC Holiday Guide encourages sustainable shopping and gift-wrapping practices to make your holiday season more memorable and less wasteful. Support District thrift stores and organizations that sell unique second-hand items like clothing, home décor, toys, and games, in addition to local repair shops to repair loved items and much more.

Environmental Justice Academy Applications Open The Anacostia Community Museum's Center for Environmental Justice is now accepting applications for their Environmental Justice Academy (EJA). The EJA is open to young women and non-binary youth of color, ages 14-18, from communities along the Anacostia River and its tributaries in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and the District. The Anacostia Community Museum will provide an honorarium for each participant. Applications for the EJA are open through January 20.

Holiday Lights Recycling at MOM’s Organic Market Holiday lights are being collected for recycling at all MOM’s Organic Market locations through January 31. All holiday lights are accepted, working or not working. The MOM’s store in the District is located in Ivy City, at 1501 New York Ave NE. For more information, see https://momsorganicmarket.com/holiday-lights-2023/.

Anna Heilferty – Sustainable DC Ambassador

Hello everybody! It’s Anna Heilferty of the Washington Spirit, your Sustainable DC Ambassador here to share some remarkable highlights from the second half of our year. It has been an honor to be in this role and witness all the positive change happening in our city to create a more sustainable future. 

Anacostia River Adoption Celebration:

One of our major achievements this year was bringing together the Washington Coalition of Women’s Professional Sports to honor our adoption of the Anacostia River. Collaborating with Living Classrooms and their innovative Green Boats program, we ventured onto the river to collect a staggering 79.58 pounds of trash. The experience underscored the impact of individual actions and our collective responsibility to protect our waterways. Learn more about Living Classrooms’ Green Boats.

Kingman Island Family Day:

Despite the rain's attempt to steal our shine, Kingman Island Family Day was a resounding success. At our "Score a Goal & Reach a Goal" station, participants not only showcased their soccer skills but also shared inspiring ways they contribute to our Sustainable DC goals. The event reaffirmed the incredible efforts of DC residents in building a greener and cleaner city. Keep an eye out for next year's Kingman Island Family Day.

Late Skates Season Finale:

We wrapped up the fall season with Friends of Anacostia Parks' October Late Skate event. This monthly event in the summer and fall focuses on promoting community, enjoying the park, and, of course, skating. Our station focused on extreme weather preparedness, sparking great conversations about staying ready for unexpected weather events. While the Late Skate events have concluded for the season, we are already excited for their return in 2024.

Washington Spirit and Casey Trees Partnership:

To cap off the year, the Washington Spirit teamed up with Casey Trees for a tree planting initiative. As part of the Spirit’s Sustainability Night initiatives, we pledged to donate a tree for every goal scored. With 20 goals and an additional bonus of 38 trees, we proudly planted a total of 58 trees at the Takoma Community Center. Thanks to all the volunteers and Casey Trees staff for making this initiative a success.

It has been a great year serving as the Sustainable DC Ambassador and I look forward to an impactful 2024!

GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Request for Applications - Green Infrastructure Job Training Grant (River Corps)

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) seeks eligible entities to provide job training to young adults to learn how to properly maintain green infrastructure and implement and lead restoration efforts that support healthy waterways in the District. The amount available for the project is $350,000. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1694291. Applications are due January 5.

Request for Applications - Green Trades DC Technical Training Program

DOEE seeks eligible entities to train District residents for pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and careers, in clean energy, and related fields; and provide related wraparound services. The amount available for the project is $1,200,000. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1692421. Applications are due January 8.

Request for Applications - Enhancing Air Quality Awareness: An Air Quality Advisory Board and Community Videos

DOEE seeks eligible entities to increase public participation to improve air quality by working with and empowering residents in District environmental justice neighborhoods subject to air pollution. The work will include coordinating with DOEE on identifying locations for three air quality monitors and the development of an online mapping tool. The grantee will also produce videos addressing air quality effects. The amount available for the project is $81,246. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1692411. Applications are due January 16.

JOBS

Department of Energy and Environment – Associate Director

This position is in the Urban Sustainability Administration. The incumbent in this position has responsibility for the day-to-day operation and administration of the administration, which includes the Green Building & Climate Branch and the Sustainability & Equity Branch. The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader with strong management, operational, financial, and environmental experience. The incumbent should excel at inclusive leadership and support staff while fostering a healthy organizational culture. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 24361. Applications are due January 3.

Department of Energy and Environment – Program Analyst

This position is in the Urban Sustainability Administration, Green Building & Climate Branch. This position is responsible for staffing the Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency, a 16-member independent body charged with assessing the District’s actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This individual will work closely with the commission chair and fellow climate staff in USA to advance climate work, including implementing key climate and resilience plans and building and maintaining community partnerships. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 24519. Applications are due January 8.

Department of Energy and Environment – Environmental Protection Specialist

This position is in the Regulatory Review Division of the Natural Resources Administration. This position will support the floodplain management program within the Floodplains, Wetlands, and Groundwater Branch. The incumbent in this intermediate-level position will assist in the Branch’s flood risk mitigation efforts, including managing and applying for grants to reduce flood risk, coordinating interagency efforts to increase the District’s resilience to flooding, and planning and executing flood mitigation projects. For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 24438. Applications are due January 11.

EVENTS

2024 Naturally Latinos Conference Taking place January 24–28 and themed “Perteneciendo: Nuestras Raíces, Nuestra Tierra (Belonging: Our Roots, Our Earth),” this multi-media experience will offer virtual and in-person dialogue, presentations and performances focused on the needs and interests of Latine environmental professionals, environmental justice advocates, educators, and nature enthusiasts. Early bird tickets are available before December 31. For more information and to register, visit https://natureforward.org/naturally-latinos-2024/.

Bird Walks at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Join the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for bird walks every Tuesday at 8:30 am, as well as the first Saturday and Sunday of the month at 8:30 am. This park is one of the best places in DC to go bird-watching, so this is a great opportunity to learn a new hobby or pick it back up! Meet up is at the Visitor Center.

Swapping for the Holidays The Swapping for the Holidays event is taking place on Saturday, December 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. with Climate Classes DC at the Treehouse (4722 14th St NW). Aimed at trying to reduce waste around holiday gift-giving by swapping clothes, ReThread DC will be there offering sewing repair. There will also be mending and upcycling demonstrations! For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swapping-for-the-holidays-tis-the-season-of-re-gifting-tickets-743247452137.

eCYCLE Collection Events By recycling used electronics, individuals can help recover valuable resources and properly manage potentially hazardous materials. eCYCLE DC, through manufacturers’ collection and recycling plans, is bringing District residents more options for recycling their electronics. The following items are banned from the trash and are collected at the eCYCLE DC collection events: computers and monitors, tablets, e-readers, mice, keyboards, DVD or VCR players, printers, televisions, game consoles, and portable music players. For more information, check out this fact sheet. See below for upcoming eCYCLE DC events around the District.

• Saturday Jan 27, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Near corner of V St NW between 13th St NW & 14th St NW (Ward 1, near Harrison Playground)
• Saturday Feb 3, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Corner of 34th St NW & Volta Pl NW (Ward 2, near Volta Park Recreation Center)
• Saturday Feb 10, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Corner of 39th St NW & Newark St NW (Ward 3, near Newark Park)
• Saturday Feb 17, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Corner of Van Buren St NW & 4th St NW (Ward 4, near Takoma Community Center)

Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.

Save the Date for the Healthy Homes Fair April 6 Join the Department of Energy and Environment and Electrify DC, a leading nonprofit dedicated to home electrification, at the inaugural Healthy Homes Fair on April 6 at the DC Armory. The event will be a free, full-day expo and interactive learning experience for 1,000+ home renovation professionals, career seekers, homeowners, and renters. Sponsor and exhibitor spots are still available for those looking to showcase their products and services that play a pivotal role in home electrification. Interested organizations can sign up on the Healthy Homes Fair website and take advantage of early bird pricing until Friday January 12.

The Climate Divide Podcast: Tune in to Season 2 of the Climate Divide podcast from Hola Cultura, which focuses on DC communities overburdened by hazards like pollution, extreme heat, and flooding.

Anacostia High School Students Co-Author Environmental Poetry Book: Several Anacostia High School students published a book titled “Through My Anacostia Eyes,” as a culmination of a six-week environmental justice internship.

‘Independent, Fun, Relaxing’: Two Black Washingtonians On E-Bike Riding: Hear from two District residents on their experiences getting around the city on electric bikes.