(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser signed the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018, codifying the District as the nation’s preeminent leader in clean energy and climate action by setting a mandate of 100% renewable electricity by the year 2032.
This historic piece of legislation will bolster Mayor Bowser’s Clean Energy DC plan, which includes 57 action items for how the District will reach this ambitious target. Additionally, the bill provides a roadmap to achieving our goals including, but not limited to:
- Mandating 100 percent of the electricity sold in the District come from renewable sources.
- Doubling the required amount of solar energy deployed in the District.
- Making significant improvements to the energy efficiency of existing buildings in the District.
- Providing energy bill assistance to support low- and moderate-income residents.
- Requiring all public transportation and privately owned fleet vehicles to become emissions-free by the year 2045.
- Funding the DC Green Bank to attract private investment in clean energy projects.
“By signing the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 into law, we solidify Washington, DC’s place as the national leader in the fight against climate change and proudly communicate to the world that ‘we are still in,’” said Mayor Bowser. “If we are going to make progress on addressing climate change and global warming in our country, it’s going to be cities and states leading the way. With this groundbreaking clean energy law, we have created a model for jurisdictions across the nation to follow.”
The bill was signed into law at the newly renovated headquarters of the American Geophysical Union, the first net-zero renovation of a building in the District which will serve as a national model of sustainability and green building design. Additionally, the bill will lead to a boost in clean energy investment in the District with the mandated increases in funding mechanisms such as the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (RETF) and Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP).
“Make no mistake about it, this is by far the most aggressive and impactful clean energy goal passed by any state to-date” said Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) Director Tommy Wells. “As great as the commitments are from states leading the fight against climate change, our goal as the nation’s capital is to reach 100% renewable electricity despite Federal inaction in our own backyard.”