January 2025
Image Credit: Laryssa, via PoPville
How often do you think about outdoor air quality? When you walk by exhaust from idling buses? When wildfire smoke blows into the District? Every time you step outside? The answer may depend on the local conditions of where you are in the District. If you’ve ever wondered what factors influence the quality of our air, how air quality is measured, whether air pollution impacts everyone equally, and which policies and programs improve air quality, check out the interactive Report on Air Quality Trends in the District of Columbia.
You can also become part of the story of the District’s air quality! Through the PurpleAir Monitoring Project, residents can host an air quality sensor at their home or workplace and capture information on disparities in air pollution across the District. And next time you walk by those idling buses, you can notify the Department of Energy and Environment to check for violations of air quality regulations. We all deserve to breathe healthy, clean air. Since air quality is influenced by multiple sources, from industrial facilities to vehicle exhaust, meeting energy, transportation, and other goals in the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan will help District residents breathe easier and improve health.
|
15 Years of DC’s Bag Law
2025 marks 15 years of DC's pioneering bag law! The law took effect on January 1, 2010, charging a five-cent fee for most disposable carryout bags. Since then, cities, counties, and states from coast to coast have implemented some form of regulation on single-use bags and other disposable items. These efforts have greatly reduced the amount of trash in the watershed that pollutes the Anacostia River. While there is still much work to do, the success of the bag law serves as both a reminder of progress thus far and motivation to continue working for a cleaner, healthier river.
Learn more about the bag law at https://doee.dc.gov/bags. Be sure to check the webpage and the Department of Energy and Environment’s social media throughout the year for more information and resources related to the 15-year anniversary.
|
|
 |
|
Applications for District Sustainability Awards Close Soon
The application period for the 2025 District Sustainability Awards closes soon! 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. Applications must be submitted through one of the forms on https://doee.dc.gov/service/sustainabilityawards by January 24.
|
|
 |
Disrict Electric Bike Incentive Program Opens February 1
The District E-Bike Incentive Program is back! After helping 293 DC residents purchase an e-bike last year, the District Department of Transportation can’t wait to help even more! District Residents can apply anytime between February 1 - 21, 2025 to receive up to $1,500 towards the purchase of an e-bike. To learn more, apply, or find a pop-up event near you, visit: https://ddot.dc.gov/ebikes]ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.
|
|
 |
Submissions Accepted for 2024-25 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest
The Department of Energy and Environment is collaborating with Wildlife Forever for 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 and is open to all District residents between the ages of 5-18.
|
|
 |
 GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Applications: Energy Efficiency and Electrification Engagement
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) seeks eligible entities for three distinct grant opportunities with application submission deadlines in late January and early February 2025 (see below). Nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and private enterprises are eligible to apply for one or multiple opportunities.
- RFA-FY25-DBD-859: Education on Residential Energy Efficiency and Electrification
- Description: DOEE seeks an eligible entity to educate and engage residents, especially low-income households and disadvantaged communities, around energy efficiency and electrification and to provide information to residents on other local and federal residential energy efficiency and electrification programs and incentives.
- Award: approximately $50,000
- Submission Deadline: Friday, January 24 at 11:59 p.m.
- Learn more: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1758436
|
|
 |
- RFA-FY25-DBD-860: Engaging Tenants of Buildings Participating in the Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator
- Description: DOEE seeks an eligible entity to meaningfully engage and educate tenants of buildings participating in the District’s Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator about energy efficiency and electrification, including benefits and technologies.
- Award: approximately $50,000
- Submission Deadline: Friday, January 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Learn more: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1758371
|
|
 |
- RFA-FY25-DBD-861: Residential Electrification Home Energy Coaching
- Description: DOEE seeks eligible entities to inform, educate, and provide advisory services to District households interested in making their homes more energy efficient and electrifying their systems and appliances.
- Award: approximately $50,000
- Q&A Session: Thursday, January 16 at 1:00 p.m., via WebEx
- Submission Deadline: Friday, February 7 at 11:59 p.m.
- Learn more: https://doee.dc.gov/node/1760376
|
|
 |
Direct all inquiries about these opportunities to: 2025ElectrificationOutreach.grants@dc.gov.
 |
|
ReFashion Pitch Competition
The Department of Small and Local Business Development Fiscal Year 2025 ReFashion Pitch Competition is an opportunity for businesses to pitch a problem or opportunity in the sustainable fashion market with a viable solution. Pitch awards will range between $2,500 to $6,000 per winner and will be held during National Small Business Week in May 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit this website. The deadline for applications has been extended to February 7.
|
|
Community Stormwater Solutions Grants
The 2024-2025 Request for Applications for the Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program is open now through March 13. This Department of Energy and Environment-funded program is administered through a partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The program provides funding for innovative and community-centered projects that increase knowledge and change behavior around watershed and stormwater-related issues in the District. The following entities located in the District are eligible to apply: nonprofits, small businesses, schools and universities, government agencies, and more. Applicants may request up to $35,000 in their proposals. The program has approximately $191,500 available in funding for this cycle. Check the grant webpage for updates.
|
|
 |
EVENTS
|
Climate Knowledge Forum
The District of Columbia Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency will host a public Knowledge Forum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St. NW). This event seeks to take stock of existing knowledge related to climate change in the District of Columbia, strengthen community networks, and generate forward-looking ideas. The event is a research component for the Commission’s third legislatively mandated report to the Mayor and Council, scheduled to be released in October 2025. Visit https://climatecommission.dc.gov/page/knowledge-forum for more information and register through the Eventbrite page.
|
|
 |
|
Green Kitchen Swap
You’re invited to clean out your cupboards and find new treasures at a Green Kitchen Swap on Saturday February 22 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. hosted by the DC Regional Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Teaism, in partnership with DC Ecowomen and Slow Food DC. Bring your unwanted kitchen supplies to give away and swap with others! Register through the Eventbrite page. Tickets are $5. The organizers want this event to be accessible to all, so please use the promo code “FREESWAP” if you’re not in a position to pay right now.
|
|
 |
|
Rooting DC 2025
Rooting DC on March 8 is the District’s central meeting ground for individuals and nonprofits looking to grow gardens and a healthier food system in the nation’s capital. This annual, day-long event started in 2007 as a small gathering of about 150 urban gardeners and has grown into an annual event with hundreds of attendees from across the region. The event includes educational workshops, networking space, and valuable community-building where local growers and food-systems stakeholders share their knowledge and learn from one another. Register through the Eventbrite page.
|
|
 |
The Healthy Homes Fair is a free expo and interactive experience for homeowners, renters, home renovation professionals, and career seekers to learn about the technologies, products, services, and incentives available to improve our health, increase comfort, and reduce emissions from the homes of the DC region. Put on by the nonprofit Electrify DC, the 2025 fair will take place March 29 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the DC Armory. Visit https://www.healthyhomesfair.org/ for more information.
|
|
 |
 New Research Project Launched at American University Aims to Further Improve Sustainability: A research project underway at American University aims to find ways that campus employees can make greener choices in purchasing and share findings with other universities.
D.C.’s New Shia Serves Korean Food With a Side of Sustainability: A new nonprofit restaurant in Union Market is serving as a testing ground for practices like being zero gas, zero plastic, and reducing waste. |
