Clean energy in the District of Columbia

Working to meet the District’s aggressive climate goals

Clean energy in the District of Columbia

Working to meet the District’s aggressive renewable energy goals

Washington, D.C. is a national leader in sustainability and environmental conservation. The District has the most aggressive renewable energy standards of any city in the country and the city’s leadership has demonstrated its dedication to combating the effects of global climate change and to realizing a clean energy future.
 
As the local utility regulator, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia has an important, integral role to play in meeting those goals.
 
   

 

Clean Energy Act

The Clean Energy Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018 represents one of the country’s most aggressive and impactful clean energy actions to-date and establishes the District of Columbia as a global leader in the fight against climate change. The act increased the District’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, setting the District on the path to 100% renewable energy by 2032 and 10% of electricity from solar in the District by 2041.
 

Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Program

The DCPSC ‘s most recent Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Report shows that the electricity suppliers are complying with the RPS requirement. Pepco, the District’s default service provider, along with 46 other electricity suppliers, submitted compliance reports that show that they met the RPS requirements by purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) and making compliance payments.

Current RPS status
Compliant

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Clean Energy Commitments

The Clean Energy Act includes several goals and mandates that the DCPSC has a role in fulfilling. Explore each directive to learn how the Commission is helping to achieve the District’s climate goals.

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The Commission has several cases working to expand renewable energy generation in and around the District. The Commission approved a pilot project for Pepco, as the default service provider, to procure renewable energy through long-term power purchase agreements (PPA) for electricity generated by solar or wind power facilities located within the PJM Interconnection region with a target quantity of 5% of the Standard Offer Service load.

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Expand the Renewable Portfolio Standards program

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The Commission is running a stakeholder process in GD-2019-04-M to ensure future decisions on utility proposals are in line with the District's public climate commitments.

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Align decision-making with climate commitments

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Through FC1160, the Commission established an Energy Efficiency and Demand Response (EEDR) Metrics Working Group. After meeting several times, the group submitted a report on Jan. 30, 2020, establishing metrics for electric energy efficiency programs.

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Establish an Energy Efficiency/Demand Response Working Group to evaluate new programs

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The Commission approved five modified transportation electrification offerings proposed by Pepco.

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Promote transportation electrification

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The Commission annually submits a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Report to the Council of D.C. detailing the implementation of the RPS act.

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Report annually on implementation of the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Act

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The Commission provides monthly updates on the solar energy available to meet the District's RPS goals on its website.

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Update solar energy systems

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While the Commission is not mandated to help with this goal, upcoming PowerPath DC Pilot Projects may test new technologies and financial strategies that the DC Sustainable Energy Utility could adopt to support its sustainable energy goals.

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Expand use of the Sustainable Energy Trust

Clean Energy Initiatives

Renewable Energy

Working to ensure that the District’s energy needs come from renewable sources

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Infrastructure

Developing technology and systems that support the District’s clean energy goals while maintaining a safe, reliable, and resilient infrastructure

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Energy Efficiency

Reducing energy waste by encouraging utility companies to invest in smart infrastructure and integrate new technologies

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Outreach and Engagement

Interacting with stakeholders and the public to help inform the DCPSC’s decision-making process

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Power Path DC Overview

PowerPath DC
PowerPath DC

The Power Path DC grid modernization project is creating a modern, sustainable, and well-planned energy delivery system that encourages distributed energy resources and preserves the financial health of the energy distribution utilities. The project also ensures that our energy delivery system is safe, reliable, secure, affordable, interactive, and nondiscriminatory. Distributed energy resources play a vital role and will need to be integrated into the planning and operation of electric distribution systems to have optimal system efficiencies; secure universal, affordable service; and develop a resilient, climate-friendly energy system.