July 12, 2007

Cheh Announces Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals

Ward 3 Councilmember Mary M. Cheh distributed a letter to her colleagues outlining upcoming legislation intended to reduce the District's emission of carbon dioxide. "Mayor Fenty has already signed the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement," committing the District to "reducing our carbon dioxide emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012," Cheh wrote in the letter. "I propose to meet this goal by reducing our electricity use and by increasing our reliance on renewable energy."

In crafting her platform, she wrote, "I have studied what other states have done, and have set aggressive yet realistic goals for the District of Columbia." In her letter, she announced her intention to work over the summer to draft legislation that would enable Washington, D.C. to meet these targets.

Here is the complete text of the letter:

 

July 12, 2007

Dear Colleague,

In my six-and-a-half months on the Council, I have worked to improve the health of District residents and of our natural environment by advancing initiatives intended to reduce our reliance on polluting forms of energy use. In March, I co-introduced, with Councilmembers Mendelson and Wells, the "Clean Cars Act of 2007," which will require all cars registered in the District to meet the aggressive fuel efficiency standards in place in California. In June, I co-introduced, with Chairman Gray and Councilmembers Barry, Brown, Mendelson, Thomas, and Wells, the "Energy Efficiency Standards Act of 2007," which will implement a set of energy efficiency standards for appliances sold or installed in the District.

These bills are just the beginning. On May 17, I chaired a hearing on "Government-Funded Energy Efficiency in the District of Columbia." More than 50 witnesses testified. Today, I chaired a hearing on the "Regulatory Structure of the Electricity Market in Washington, D.C." The purpose of these hearings is to learn from energy experts about the best practices for implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The benefits of reducing our reliance on dirty sources of power are well-recognized, and I shall not address them here.

With this letter, I serve notice of my intent to develop over the coming months legislation that will comprehensively address the future of energy use in the District. I have studied what other states have done, and have come up with a set of aggressive yet realistic goals for the District of Columbia. Mayor Fenty has already signed the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement, committing the District to reducing our carbon dioxide emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. I propose to meet this goal by reducing our energy use and by increasing our reliance on renewable energy.

District of Columbia Government: Leading By Example

- Cut District Government energy use 15% by 2012, and 30% by 2020.
Maryland has pledged to reduce governmental electricity use 15% by 2015, and Virginia 20% by 2010.

- Reduce District Government peak energy demand 10% by 2012 and 20% by 2020. Energy prices are typically higher during peak use periods. Therefore it's important to implement time-specific energy reduction goals. Congress is currently circulating proposals to curtail federal government peak electricity demand 18% by 2020.

District of Columbia City: World Class Energy Efficient City

- Reduce citywide electricity use 5% by 2012 and 20% by 2020.
There are many ways to cut District energy use; adopt stronger building codes, promote more energy-efficient appliances, and encourage building retrofits. California has not increased its per-capita energy use since 1975, while the rest of the country's per-capita use has jumped 50%. Earlier this year, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged to reduce his city's electricity use 15% by 2015.

- Require that 8% of our electricity come from renewable sources (e.g., solar, wind, geothermal, biomass) by 2012 and 20% by 2020.
In 2004, the District passed a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard requiring that 11% of electricity used in the District come from renewable sources by 2021. We can and must do more in order to meet the Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. We can do this in part by increasing solar generation capacity inside the District to 5 megawatts by 2012, enough to power 5,000 homes, and 27 megawatts by 2020. Initial research chows that we can bring online an additional 50 megawatts of clean power by installing co- and tri- generation capacity in commercial buildings, using the heat created by boilers to generate electricity.

District of Columbia Residents: Energy Affordability and Economic Opportunity

- Nurture the creation of "green collar" jobs for District residents.
Already the Greater Washington Urban League, East of the River Community Development Corporation, Barney Neighborhood House and others have been awarded District Government contracts to provide residential weatherization services. A study prepared by the American Council for and Energy Efficient Economy has predicted energy efficiency initiatives will generate almost 60,000 jobs in Illinois by 2015. The retrofit of the District's commercial areas and weatherization of our aging housing stock will likewise generate a significant number of jobs.

- Shape policies to help all families afford utility needs.
Monthly LIHEAP checks, which frequently run out before the hottest summer months, are not enough. We can start with the District's stock of 36,000 government-assisted rental units, and 76,000 housing units built prior to 1960. We must offer each and every District resident, owner and renter alike, a comprehensive home weatherization by 2020. This will help residents to reduce their bills for good.

I invite you to join me as we move forward on this initiative. I have outlined my goals above, and this summer I will draft legislation to help us meet these targets. To take the necessary steps forward will require commitment not just by the Council but also by the District as a whole. I look forward to working with you and your staff to craft and refine this legislation over the coming months.

Regards,

Mary M. Cheh
Councilmember, Ward 3
Chairperson, Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs

 

CC:
All Councilmembers
Mayor Adrian Fenty
George Hawkins, Director, Department of the Environment; Agnes Yates, Chair, Public Service Commission; Elizabeth Noel, People's Counsel, Office of the People's Counsel; Lars Etzkorn, Director, Office of Property Management; Harriet Tregoning, Director, Office of Planning