Author:Yesenia River D.C. Program Director, Solar United Neighbors MAY 23,2018
The Council is considering an historic plan to require our local utility to obtain 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050, including 17% from solar power (up from the current standard of 50% renewables by 2032 with 5% from solar). While there’s still a lot of work to do, this bill is a great start for securing D.C.’s renewable energy future. And with your help we can fight to make that future equitable and inclusive.
What will tripling solar generation mean for the city? To meet the 17% solar carve-out, the District will need to generate hundreds more MW of solar electricity. That translates to lower and more predictable electric utility bills, thousands of new jobs, tens of millions of dollars in additional economic activity, and massive solar-related cost savings from improved grid resiliency.
Solar United Neighbors supports the bill, but we also think it should be improved by including funding important for energy equity programs like “Solar for All” so that all D.C.’s residents, particularly lower income families, can benefit directly from solar.
Please contact the Council now to voice your support for the “One Hundred Percent Renewable Portfolio Standard Expansion Amendment Act of 2018.” Tell them you want them to modify the bill to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to go solar, and that you’re proud that our city is building a clean energy economy for all.
Sincerely,