Our nation’s capital took a big step toward more clean energy Wednesday, when the DC Council voted to approve a new shared renewable energy program.
The Community Renewables Energy Act will allow thousands of DC renters, businesses, and others to go solar for the first time. The program is designed to enable energy customers who can’t put solar on their own property to subscribe to a shared solar project located somewhere else in their community – and get credit on their utility bill for their portion of the clean power produced. With 60% of DC’s households renting their homes, this program will open the door to clean energy for a huge new demographic.
The bill passed Wednesday with unanimous consent from the Council, thanks in large part to a year-long technical working group involving local advocates DC SUN, Sierra Club, Vote Solar, Pepco, ratepayer advocates, the District Department of Environment, the DC Public Service Commission, and others.
It’s not final yet: The bill must pass a second and final vote when the Council returns from summer recess in September. But local advocates are confident that Council Members recognize this is a priority issue and something their constituents are asking for. If you live in DC, sign up here for updates on how you can help make sure this common sense policy becomes reality.
“This legislation will bring clean energy and bill savings to more DC residents, including communities who have been underserved by our clean energy programs to date,” said Anya Schoolman of DC SUN. “It’s going to create a new economic engine for the District, and jobs in an industry that’s not going away.”
Electric utility Pepco embraced the shared renewables proposal as a way to accelerate its progress toward its clean energy goals, and bring renewable energy to more of its customers.
“At Pepco, environmental stewardship and sustainability are fundamental principles that guide our business and enable our success, both for today and into the future,” said Thomas H. Graham, president, Pepco Region. “Not only are we committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity, we are also committed to helping the District of Columbia become a model of innovative environmental policies and practices, while also expanding renewable energy to District of Columbia residents.”
Read the full text of the Community Renewables Energy Act here.
For more information on shared solar policies and projects across the U.S., visit www.sharedrenewables.org.