P&P's Climate Action Project

The Climate Action Project that started in the spring of 2006 is going strong, with committees pursuing different aspects of climate protection.  The next meeting is Saturday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. at Politics and Prose.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Some of the things we've done:

• We've conducted a "teach-in" at P&P on climate issues and what DC citizens can do about them. 
  
  
• We listed factors people could use to figure out how much carbon they could keep out of the atmosphere by various actions (investments, behavioral changes, etc.). 
  
  
• We've spawned an organization called Cool Capital Challenge that works actively with the Downtown Business Investment Districts and others institutions in DC to cut energy use.
  
  
• We've testified before the Public Service Commission in favor of a Pepco request for decoupling of rates from revenues (an initiative pioneered over 20 years ago in California to remove the utilities' disincentive to help customers cut their demand for electricity and gas).
  
  
• We've become an "intervenor" in the Pepco case before the PSC to launch a program to help customers cut their electricity use.
  
  
• We've proposed part of the D.C. Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 and testified on it and we're lobbying for it with the City Council.
  
  
• We are working with the DC Energy Office, and recently had one of their experts speak at a public meeting our members organized on home energy audits.
  
  
• We recently started a new subgroup or committee on recycling (including composting) and have met with various people working on the problem of how to increase DC's rate of recycling.
  
  
• We are beginning work on a plan for bicycle transportation in DC.

The group meets approximately monthly, but subgroups meet as often as their members find the need to meet.  We have not set any sharp limits on what we do, except that our work should help reduce global warming. 
At almost every meeting, some new idea comes up (sometimes several), and whether we get into it or not depends on whether there is someone willing to dive in and give it the time it needs. 

news and announcements

clean and affordable energy act talking points

Please support Council member Mary Cheh’s bill, the Clean and Affordable Energy Act.

It is time to take strong action to respond to increasing energy bills and climate change. This bill lays the groundwork for strong and effective action to improve the energy efficiency of the District’s homes and businesses.

• Climate and economic development – According to a consensus of the world’s climate scientists, climate change is real, and the combustion of fossil fuels is a major culprit. The nation’s capital can and should play a leading role in addressing greenhouse gas emissions. The energy bill will not only do that but will contribute to the city’s economic development through the creation of green jobs and the reduction of energy bills.
  
  
• The Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU) – The energy bill establishes a new independent entity, the SEU, which will be dedicated to improving energy efficiency in the District. The SEU’s independence and mandated mission will ensure that its focus on energy efficiency and will not be diverted by other matters the way government agencies or private entities often are.
  
  
• Role of utilities – The bill allows for Pepco and other utilities to play a significant role in helping foster energy efficiency. The utilities’ expertise in energy matters will compliment the SEU’s work and will be a benefit to the District’s energy-efficiency efforts.
  
  
• Renewable energy -- The bill takes important steps to support solar energy, wind power, and renewable energy more broadly. This is essential if we are to reduce our reliance on the dominant fuel source in the region, coal. While renewable energy can be more expensive than conventional energy sources, the conventional sources are becoming more expensive as well, while solar, wind, and geothermal energy do not involve fuel payments, so after these systems are installed the costs are stable.
  
  
• Time for action -- Many cities and states have adopted aggressive energy-efficiency and renewable energy programs. These programs are resulting in lower energy bills, more jobs, and reduced pollution. The District can derive these same benefit through the actions supported in the Clean and Affordable Energy Act. 

For more information we suggest the following websites:

Climate Change Resources:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/2860.php

• Pew Center on Global Climate Change http://www.pewclimate.org/

• RealClimate – Climate science from climate scientists http://realclimate.org/

• BBC Weather Centre’s website on Climate Change http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/

• Weathervane (Resources for the Future) http://www.weathervane.rff.org/index.cfm

• International policy www.ren21.net

• Decentralised power www.localpower.org

• Appliance labeling www.clasponline.org

• Energy efficiency www.ase.org

• Reegle information gateway (search engine) for Renewables & Energy Efficiency - www.reegle.info