On Nov. 27, Washington, D.C.'s city council voted to provide preliminary approval of a renewable-energy target that would move the city's power grid to 100 percent renewable energy by 2032, according to The Washington Post.
The council voted unanimously to advance the bill, which must pass a second vote next month. The measure's proponents say Washington, D.C., is serving as a model for cities and states seeking to reduce carbon emissions while facing inaction at the federal level.
The legislation contained provisions some environmental activists have criticized, such as language that would allow electric utility Pepco Holdings to charge customers more as it enacts energy-efficiency programs to offset revenue lost when ratepayers consume less power.
Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5) said in a statement the bill's language regarding Pepco's ability to adjust its rates is similar to what already exists in Washington, D.C., law.
If the council votes a second time to approve the bill, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature.
Under its current policy, Washington, D.C., aims to get half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2032.
The council's action came four days after the federal government released a report detailing the consequences of global warming caused by human activity, including economic decline and worsening hurricanes, heat waves and wildfires.
According to pv magazine USA, the legislation would require utilities procure at least 5 percent of their power from solar energy by 2032, including a formula where when more solar is added, the mandate increases. The solar requirement goes past 2032, and the bill mandates an increase until PEPCO reaches 1.68 GW of solar. Tony Clifford, chief development officer for Standard Solar and former head of trade group MDV-SEIA, says he expects a massive boom in rooftop solar in Washington, D.C.
