Washington, DC government agencies to run 100% renewable energy | 22/03/13
by 
John Brian Shannon
Until now, U.S. government buildings in Washington, D.C. have had 50% of their electrical power needs met with wind-turbine powered electricity supplied by Washington Gas Energy Services CleanSteps® WindPower. That percentage increased recently to 100% as part of the government’s renewable energy target and building efficiency improvement plan.
Using 100 percent wind power for electricity equates to the Washington, D.C. government avoiding the consumption of 32,825,000 gallons of gasoline or taking 61,000 cars off the road for a year. The world’s fastest-growing energy resource, wind power displaces conventional power, reduces carbon dioxide and helps eliminate air pollution.
“Going green helps foster economic growth and creates modern and vibrant communities across the District of Columbia,” said Brian J. Hanlon, Director, Department of General Services.
“Our goals are to become more energy efficient and reduce our carbon emissions, and our strategic partnership with WGES is playing a role in helping us achieve these objectives.” – WGES press release
Even prior to this announcement, Washington, D.C. held the record among U.S. cities for the highest total renewable energy use at over one billion kilowatt hours per year – or, 11.4% of it’s total electricity consumption.
To read a complete breakdown of U.S. cities and their renewable energy use in 2012, visit this EPA Green Power Community Challenge Rankings page.
“We have stated our mission for Washington, D.C. to be the cleanest, greenest city in the nation, which includes the use of renewable energy for our power sources.
We’re proud that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Washington, D.C. as the leading Green Power Community for our commitment to purchase green power.” — Keith Anderson, Director, District Department of the Environment
In his National Geographic NewsWatch piece, Sam Brooks, Associate Director of the Washington, D.C. Department of General Services and head of its Energy Division said, “conservative estimates indicate a long-term purchase of regional wind power could save more than $100 million over 20 years.”
What could be better than breathing clean air while saving 100 million dollars?
Related Articles:
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Expert Voices: Sam Brooks, Associate Director of the Washington, DC DGS (National Geographic)
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DC Government Agencies Switching to 100% Wind Energy (Scientific American)
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New Contract with Washington Gas Energy Services Helps City Retain Position as the Nation’s #1 Green Power Community (Washington Gas Energy Services)
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Green Power Community Challenge Rankings (epa.gov)
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Wind Powering America (windpoweringamerica.gov)
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Wind Program (energyefficiencyrenewableenergy.gov)
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How Does a Wind Turbine Work? Interactive animation & related information at the: (U.S. Dept of Energy – Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy program)
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Renewable Energy Hits the Roof (jbsnews.com)
NOTES:
- The U.S. Department of Energy funds R&D to develop wind energy. Learn about the DOE Wind Program, how to use wind energy and get financial incentives, and access wind energy information.
- In the District of Columbia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, businesses, organizations, government entities, institutions and individual residents can purchase their electricity and natural gas supply from retail energy providers. Customers in Virginia may purchase natural gas and customers in Delaware may purchase electricity from retail energy providers.
- To learn more about WGES and its CleanSteps® products, visit www.wges.com or call 1-888-884-WGES (9437).
