The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Rob Sargent, 617-312-7546, rsargent@environmentamerica.org 
Ross Sherman, 303-573-1358, rsherman@publicinterestnetwork.org

Washington, D.C. City Council Enacts America's Boldest Renewable Energy Law Yet

Nation’s capital to hit 100 percent renewable electricity by 2032

WASHINGTON

Yesterday, the Washington, D.C. City Council voted unanimously to enact legislation requiring that all electricity sold to residents, businesses and federal government agencies be renewable by 2032. The bill also requires electric-powered public transportation and passenger vehicle fleets by 2045, and includes strong requirements for energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.

If signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, the nation's capital would have a more ambitious renewable energy policy than any state. Both California and Hawaii have committed to generating 100 percent of their electricity from clean power sources by 2045.

Rob Sargent, Senior Director of Clean Energy Campaigns for Environment America, issued the following statement:

"We need to aim high and put forward ambitious solutions that match the scale of the environmental challenges we face. The bold leadership of the D.C. Councillors puts our nation's capital at the head of the pack on clean energy, and this bill sends a strong signal to cities and states across America that it's no longer a question of whether we'll get to 100 percent renewable power, but how quickly.

"To create healthier communities today and a livable future for our children, we must transform the ways we produce and consume energy. That has to start with a commitment to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. Today's decisive vote in D.C. represents a very good first step.

"The only way we will reach a clean, green and renewable future is by first setting the goal to get there, and then putting the full force of the people behind that goal. We look forward to building on the enormous momentum underway to convince more states to act.

"Despite tremendous progress on renewable energy in recent years, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. While the Trump Administration and Congress are still promoting antiquated fossil fuel technologies, we're counting on our local and state governments, businesses and other institutions to lead the way by setting their sights on 100 percent renewable energy."

With Environment America, you protect the places that all of us love and promote core environmental values, such as clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and clean energy to power our lives. We're a national network of 29 state environmental groups with members and supporters in every state. Together, we focus on timely, targeted action that wins tangible improvements in the quality of our environment and our lives.

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