Green Power Purchasing

The District of Columbia has committed to procure 100% of the district government’s total electricity consumption from renewable energy sources. This is part of the district-wide Sustainable DC goals to reduce the district's greenhouse gas emission by 50%, and to use renewable energy to power 50% of the district’s energy consumption, both targeted to be achieved by 2032. Since 2012, 100% of the district’s fossil fuel power purchases have been offset through purchase of renewable energy credit (RECs).

For more information on the District of Colombia's sustainability progress, see here.

History

In July 2015, the district government signed a 20 year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Iberdrola Renewables to purchase entire wind energy output from a 46 MW wind farm in Pennsylvania. This PPA will supply 35% of the District government’s total electricity demand. The District will continue to purchase RECs to ensure that 100% of the District government’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources. The District government also a leading partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership – a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.

The Clean Energy Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 codifies several key initiatives identified in the Clean Energy DC Plan (“the Plan”)—the District’s detailed energy and climate action plan to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. The Act revises the District’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandating 100% of the District’s energy supply comes from Tier 1 renewable energy sources by 2032. By 2041, at least 10% of that energy must come from solar energy generated within the District. The act covers quite a few policies and establishes a number of incentives and programs. For more information refer to this website.