DC Climate Update: What Can We Do at the Local Level?
featuring:
- Mike Healy, Skyline Innovations and Board Member, MD/DC/VA Solar Energy Industries Association (MDV-SEIA)
- Felipe Witchger, Lead Organizer, Energy & Partnerships, The DC Project
- John Macgregor, Politics & Prose Climate Action Project
- Chris Weiss, Director, DC Environmental Network (moderator)
Background:
The Wall Street Journal reported today that sources are suggesting "there will be no (federal) climate or carbon bill in the next two years." Additionally it looks like Carol Browner is leaving her position as "energy czar" and President Obama probably will not maintain this high level position in its current form, possibly to appease business leaders. Congressional Republicans are looking to push back on some of the limited progress that has been made to curb carbon emissions. All of this is happening even as we see new evidence of global warming and its potential impacts each day.
What does that mean to us here in the District of Columbia?
It means state and local governments and the communities within them have to continue to be the driver for policies and programs that reduce energy use and significantly curb carbon emissions. The District and surrounding region is very lucky to have a highly motivated group of organizations and activists who are working hard to fight global warming. We will have brief presentations from some of these climate heroes on what are priorities might be with a new Mayor and a re-configured DC Council.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT!
What climate policy changes are on the table today in the District?
Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (Ward 3) recently introduced two bills to bring cleaner and more reliable electricity to DC. We will also discuss what needs to be done to improve and help pass these two bills.
- The first bill, the Reliable Electric Service Amendment Act of 2011 ( click to view), would establish reliability performance standards and authorize the Public Service Commission, the entity responsible for overseeing the electrical 
grid in DC, to impose penalties on utilities that do not meet those standards. According to a recent Washington Post report, outages in the District occur more frequently and for longer than in other areas. Among the provisions in the bill are benchmarks that would improve the District’s electric reliability from the bottom 20% for reliability to the top 20% by 2020. “The reliability of the District’s electricity system is among the worst in the country and the Public Service Commission has allowed PEPCO to continue making large profits,” said Cheh. “It’s time for the District to establish clear standards for reliability and hold utilities accountable for failing to meet them.”
- The second bill, the Distributed Generation Amendment Act of 2011 ( click to view), would reduce the load on the District’s distribution grid by increasing the amount of solar energy used in DC. The legislation would increase the solar-energy set aside of the existing Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to 2.5% by 2020. It would also require utility companies to purchase solar-energy credits from systems located within the District or served by the District’s distribution grid. “Solar energy is thriving in the District, but more needs to be done,” said Cheh. “By creating new incentives for solar systems, we get cleaner and more reliable electricity in DC.”
Join us for this important discussion!
DATE: Thursday, February 3, 2011
TIME: 12:00 NOON to 1:30 PM
PLACE: Global Green USA (offices of Friends of the Earth), 1100 15th Street NW, 11th Floor. Near Farragut North & McPherson Square Metro Stations
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT!
CALL-IN NUMBER: 775-269-3893 When prompted enter 399602
For more information contact Chris Weiss at 202-518-8782.
More events coming soon! CW
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