Behind the Scenes of DC Buildings

October 2024

BEP

Image Credit: Department of Energy and Environment

We spend the vast amount of our time indoors, and that’s certainly going to be the case as the days get shorter and cooler. But how much do you know about the buildings you spend your time in? Are they humming along smoothly providing a comfortable environment for occupants, or are they clunkers using up vast amounts of energy just to keep the temperature steady?

You can get insights into the energy and water consumption side of things, thanks to the District’s mandatory benchmarking law and a corresponding interactive map! Head to https://buildingperformancedc.org/ and click “Continue to Site” to see a map of more than 3,000 buildings required to disclose their energy and water usage. Is the apartment, office, or other building you spend time in included? How is it doing compared to other buildings and how does your time as an occupant impact how the building consumes energy? Given how much time we spend in buildings and how critical they are to meeting our carbon neutrality goal, ensuring our buildings are performing at top efficiency will benefit us all.


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Submissions Accepted for 2024-25 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest

The Department of Energy and Environment is collaborating with Wildlife Forever to announce the opening of the 2024-25 Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest. The annual program invites K-12 youth from around the world to connect with nature and learn about fish and aquatic habitats while exploring creative art and writing.

The 2024-25 contest is open for submissions until February 28, 2025, and is open to all District residents between the ages of 5-18.

District of Columbia residents must submit their artwork online—mail-in entries are not accepted. For more information, go to https://doee.dc.gov/service/fish-art-contest. For questions, contact doee.arec@dc.gov.

Fish art

Applications for District Sustainability Awards Opening Soon

The application period for 2025 District Sustainability Awards will open on December 1. The District Sustainability Awards highlight businesses, individuals, and organizations that are working towards a more sustainable DC. Awardees’ projects and programs support the Mayor’s Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan, which aims to make the District the nation’s greenest, healthiest, most sustainable city. Learn more about the awards and read case studies of past winners at https://doee.dc.gov/service/sustainabilityawards.

SDC

Guest column

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Glenn Hall – Former Green Fellow

Hey everyone, my name is Glenn Hall, and I have been honored to serve as the Green Fellow for the Urban Sustainability Administration within the Department of Energy and Environment this past year. I recently graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a Master’s in Urban Agriculture and I am passionate about addressing food insecurities and furthering environmental education within the District. In my time as a Green Fellow, I was a part of the Sustainable DC team where I oversaw the Sustainable DC newsletter and social media accounts. So, if you have been following along with either of those, that was me! I also served as an integral part of the planning, drafting, and editing process of the upcoming Sustainable DC 3.0 Plan. It was so meaningful and empowering for me to know that my work and ideas will soon be reflected in the citywide sustainability plan. I look forward to everyone seeing the result when it is officially released!

The photo above is from a Climate Science Fair at Stuart Hobson Middle School that some folks from the Urban Sustainability Administration were invited to. We had the opportunity to speak with students about their great science projects and offer advice about potential careers to explore in the future. This was a full circle moment for me as it felt like just yesterday, I was in their shoes curious about science and dreaming about where it would lead me, to now actively working within the environmental field. I hope that in the future some of the kids we spoke with will remember this experience and be inspired to pursue their journey within the environment.

I was also able to go on farm visits with the Office of Urban Agriculture throughout the spring and summer. This was a very rewarding experience because not only was I able to network with various farmers throughout the city, but I was given so much useful advice about growing within the District, which will be valuable as I plan my next big step in operating my farm here. My vision is to offer a space to build community and unite people through food, so seeing the community in action at these farms is something I will remember.

From my time in the Green Fellows program, I leave with a greater sense of purpose and a commitment to continue advocating for our environment and advancing sustainability in the city I love. I want to thank everyone who I have been able to connect with at the Department of Energy and Environment as well as within the community and I am excited to continue making my mark with all the kindness, knowledge, and advice I have been given in this time. The Green Fellows program gave me a better understanding of how I can make a difference in the world of sustainability, and I hope that others can do the same in this role. If you are interested in more information or want to apply for the Green Fellows program, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/service/greenfellows.


Funding

Request for Applications - DC Climate Commitment Grant

The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to develop a roadmap of policy and program recommendations for how net-zero emissions can be achieved by 2040 in accordance with D.C. Law 24-176, the Climate Commitment Amendment Act of 2022, and how implementation of that roadmap can be a tool to advance equity for District residents, especially communities disproportionately affected by climate change. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is October 30.

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Request for Applications - RiverSmart Communities

The Department of Energy and Environment seeks eligible entities to lessen the impact of stormwater runoff on the District of Columbia’s waterways by controlling, preventing, and remediating nonpoint sources of polluted runoff. The amount available for the project is $600,000. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications is November 12.

Riversmart

Funding

PaintCare – Program Coordinator for Washington, DC and Maryland

PaintCare seeks a qualified candidate to assist with administering the paint stewardship program in Washington, DC, and Maryland. A nonprofit organization created by paint manufacturers, PaintCare sets up drop-off locations for leftover paint, arranges for recycling and proper disposal, and conducts public education. For more information and to apply, visit the job posting webpage. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.


Department of Energy and Environment – Green Fellows

Applications are now being accepted for the Fiscal Year 2025 Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program. The Fellowship is a competitive paid opportunity designed for graduate-level students who are currently enrolled in a Master's degree study program. It is both a career exploration and a pipeline program for students interested in job placement at the Department of Energy and Environment; however, placement opportunities are not guaranteed. Fellowship positions are open in the following areas:

  • Urban Sustainability
  • Strategic Planning & Policy
  • Policy and Compliance
  • Building Performance and Enforcement Branch
  • Policy and Planning
  • Air Quality Division

For additional information and to apply, please visit the Green Fellows Leadership and Development Program web page. Applications close November 10.


Events

Webinar on Catalyzing Community Good through Building Material Reuse

In this Maryland Recycling Network webinar on October 17 from noon to 1 p.m., the Director of Donations at Community Forklift will share the social, economic, and environmental justice impacts of providing equitable access to reusable materials for households with limited resources and community organizations serving the greater good. The presentation will detail the sources of materials in their operation’s warehouse and stores along with the process by which they evaluate, sort and distribute those materials throughout the community. For more information and to register, please visit the webinar webpage.

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Kingman Island Friends and Family Day

Join the Department of Energy and Environment and Living Classrooms for the 2024 Kingman Island Friends and Family Day on October 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Come out for an opportunity to explore Kingman and Heritage Islands and enjoy free activities such as paddling, nature walks, fishing, scavenger hunts, and so much more! The day will also feature a special Fix-It DC event for textile repair and a children’s clothing swap. To learn more and to register, please visit https://www.kingmanisland.com/friends-family-day.

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Sustainability & Environment Masters Fair

Georgetown University will be hosting the Sustainability & Environment Masters Fair on November 13 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at 125 E Street NW. The fair will showcase master programs that are sustainability/environment-focused in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area at universities including:

  • American University
  • Georgetown University
  • George Washington University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University Of Maryland, Baltimore County
  • University of Maryland
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Tech

Admission is free but please register at the this website. For more information, please feel free to reach out to Lindsey Jamieson at lindsey.jamieson@georgetown.edu.

Masters Fair

eCYCLE Collection Events for Recycling Covered Electronics

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.

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  • Saturday October 19, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle adjacent to Kenilworth Rec Center Farmer’s Market on Ord St NE (Ward 7)
  • Saturday October 26, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on Calvert St NW between 40th Pl NW & 39th Pl NW (Ward 3, south of Stoddert Recreation Center)
  • Saturday November 2, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Collection vehicle on 33rd St NW between Quesada St NW & Patterson St NW (Ward 4, near Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center)

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


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First reusable takeout container service launches in DC: Supported by a grant from the Department of Energy and Environment, a new company recently launched allowing restaurant customers to have their takeout meals provided in reusable containers.

Anna Heilferty Named Washington Spirit Nominee for 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award: Washington Spirit Player and Sustainable DC Ambassador Anna Heilferty has been nominated for an award to recognize players for outstanding service and character off the pitch.

Destination DC Sustainability Leadership Video: Destination DC, which promotes the District as a tourism destination, got creative to highlight the features that make DC a sustainable place to visit.