DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)

The DCSEU continues to collaborate with the Office of the People's Counsel for the District of Columbia to deliver vital energy solutions to residents and small businesses in the District. During the recent virtual OPC Climate Forum, Ben Burdick, our Senior Director of Operations, discussed how our energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable energy programs can support local communities in their journey towards sustainability. Thank you to OPC for hosting this important event!

What a way to celebrate #NationalCleanEnergyWeek! The DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) and Children's National Hospital hosted a great event at the Children's National Research and Innovation Campus. We not only heard from IMPACT DC about childhood health data, but the National Housing Trust and Children's Law Center also shared their efforts to better childhood health through sustainable and healthy housing alongside their plans for the EPA Community Change Grant to upgrade affordable housing stock in DC. The DCSEU with the DC Green Bank, New Columbia Solar, and Flywheel Development LLC spoke about our work in #SolarforAll to bring the benefits of solar to income-qualified DC residents saving them up to $500 of their electricity bill. Did I forget to mention that we got to hear directly from Ward 4 resident participating in Solar for All and that the old Walter Reed Campus hosts two community solar sites saving 460 DC households on their electricity bills combined?

Please join us in giving a 🎉 big congratulations 🎊 to Kyna for recently graduating from our Summer Cohort! We are so happy that Workforce Development Program was a worthwhile and enriching experience for you. Looking forward to seeing your development in the local green industry.

We’re halfway through #NationalCleanEnergyWeek! Did you know there are hidden clean energy sites all around DC that help residents save energy, reduce emissions, and lower bills? These sites, like the Solar for All Community Solar Renewable Energy Facilities, are making a huge impact by helping income-qualified DC households save up to $500 off their electricity bills each year. Want to learn more? Check out this blog highlighting 6 solar sites across DC that are quietly making a difference for District residents: https://bit.ly/47Ik0P7

We have a busy week ahead of us at the DCSEU. Check out the views from #NationalCleanEnergyWeek. Today, our Manger of Account Management, Yvonne Coles, joined the groundbreaking of the Emblem Apartments in NoMa. Along with the unique flatiron shape, The NRP Group LLC and MARSHALL HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, with partners from the DC Green Bank, DC Department of Housing and Community Development, DC Housing Finance Agency, and Bank of America are bringing an 100% affordable 115-unit apartment building for District families to call home. Our team is looking forward to partnering with NRP Group and MHCDO further along in the new construction to help incentivize energy efficiency measures throughout the building.

Exciting News! Our Affordable Home Electrification Program (AHEP) has been featured in a recent story highlighting the importance of heat pumps in home electrification. Su, one of our AHEP customers was interviewed while contractors were installing her new heat pump system. Check out the original story to see more insights on heat pump adoption from experts at VEIC and the DCSEU: https://bit.ly/3ZuRnTx Together, we're making strides toward a more energy-efficient and decarbonized future.

Last week was a busy one for DCSEU staff, attending four events across the District for a variety of audiences. Here's a look at Wesley Housing's One Hawaii groundbreaking from last Tuesday that staff, Yvonne Coles and Ronald Hobson attended. Wesley Housing, alongside partners from Bonstra l Haresign ARCHITECTS and James G. Davis Construction (DAVIS) celebrated the 70-unit, multifamily community for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). We are happy to have Wesley Housing as a customer and are looking forward to assisting this wonderful project with energy efficiency incentives in the future.

Calling all clean energy innovators! The PSC has an opportunity for a chance to earn an internship in summer 2025. Submit your research proposal exploring innovative approaches to distributed energy resources before September 17th!

Get on the green train to high-performance building, DC! There are just five Train Green courses left for 2024. Next up: the no-cost GPRO Construction Management Training and Exam. Certified Business Enterprises (CBE), CBE-eligible firms, their staffs, and District residents are invited to join instructor Energy Shrink, LLC this coming September 10th and 17th. Learn sustainability best practices along with actionable strategies for every phase of construction. This two-session online course is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about the upcoming GPRO course and the rest of our training, credentialing, and certification opportunities at https://bit.ly/4dR9maJ

Give a big congratulations to Anna-Marie, Owner and Principal Broker at AREA Real Estate DC, a full-service real estate brokerage CBE who was able to get her LEED GA at no-cost through Train Green at the DCSEU! Congrats on your successes Anna-Marie!