DC's Billion-Pound Carbon Diet: Cool Capital Carbon Commitments Top 200 Million Pounds

Contact:  Steve Coleman, (202) 744-8695
Cliff Majersik, (202) 297-0871
Pascale Maslin, (202) 557-9200
NEWS ADVISORY
DC’s Billion-Pound Carbon Diet: 
Cool Capital Carbon Commitments Top 200 Million Pounds
 
On the eve of Earth Day, a broad consortium of DC businesses, property owners, congregations, neighborhood groups, transportation and environmental organizations and activists are joining together to launch an unprecedented campaign to combat global warming.  Starting Sunday and continuing until Earth Day 2008, the Cool Capital Challenge will galvanize the DC region to reduce one billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions – the carbon equivalent of removing over 80,000 cars from our streets — as a dramatic first step to show how cities can lead the way in reversing climate change.  Now live on the web at www.coolcapital.org, the Cool Capital Challenge has already amassed committed reductions totaling over 200 million pounds of carbon dioxide — the carbon equivalent of removing 16,000 automobiles from our streets.
 
Confronting daily reports of the worsening climate crisis, in which the US produces 25% of all greenhouse gases worldwide, organizers of the Cool Capital Challenge say that DC has an opportunity to make a major positive impact with the immediate efficiency and lifestyle changes needed to help avert global catastrophe.  Already, a range of national groups such as the US Conference of Mayors is hailing the Cool Capital Challenge as a potential model for cities across the country.
 
Cool Capital is being featured at today’s celebration of GreenDC Week at 2:30 p.m. at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  Speaking at the event for Cool Capital will be Lara Hansen, the chief climate scientist for the World Wildlife Fund who contributed to the recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
 
Among key partners launching the Challenge, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District has committed to helping achieve the goal of 71 million pounds of savings from its members in the heart of the capital through collection and dissemination of information about downtown developers, property management and other businesses Green practices and strategies.  Three organizations have each pledged to galvanize 40 million pounds in reductions from their members and partners:  Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light, a broad regional alliance of congregations; the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, a 35-year-old cycling advocacy and support organization; and the DC chapter of the Sierra Club, a bastion of environmental advocacy since 1892. 
 
Ten Washington-area hardware stores have already signed on to be partners in the Challenge.  Cool Capital has trained each store’s staff to provide expert advice, promote the sale of energy efficient items such as compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL’s), and help their customers join the Cool Capital Challenge.  Several stores are offering special discounts on CFL’s in connection with the launch.
 
Cool Capital Coordinator Pascale Maslin says that the Challenge will draw nearly half of its reduction goal from individual households through a web site, www.coolcapital.org, that will continually track everyone’s commitments.  The campaign is seeking 40,000 households that will make 5,000 pounds in reductions, and 15,000 households to become “Carbon Busters” by making an average of 15,000 pounds in reductions (less for apartment dwellers) and by reaching out to others.  People can join the Challenge by logging on to the website, joining or creating teams, providing energy usage information from electric and gas bills and vehicle mileage, and then pledging to take actions that reduce emissions. The website also has pages where campaign participants can get additional information, a campaign calendar, and links to resources, experts, products, hardware stores, and other support.  The campaign has Carbon Buster leaders signed up in DC and four surrounding counties, and is looking for more to help lead the way.
 
Energy and environmental leaders advising Cool Capital include Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), who chairs the Council’s Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs; Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who chairs the Council’s Committee on the Environment and Public Works and who led the recent enactment of DC’s trailblazing Green Building Act; and experts with EPA ENERGY STAR.
 
According to Cool Capital Chair Cliff Majersik of the Institute for Market Transformation, most businesses and homes can save 10-20% in energy emissions and costs with little to no capital expense, through such simple changes as caulking holes and cracks, turning off lights and electronics when not in use, installing compact fluorescent bulbs and properly maintaining heating and cooling systems.  Individuals can slash emissions from driving by telecommuting, walking, biking, carpooling, or taking transit.  Using these strategies, most households can save 5,000 pounds of CO2 and many can save 15,000 or more.  Employers can help by offering employees transit benefits, bike racks, and tele-work options.
 
Organizers say the Cool Capital Challenge can lay the foundation for a wide range of energy innovations and sweeping economic changes for the better.  Majersik said, “The Cool Capital Challenge will put Washington at the leading edge of a wave sweeping the country that recognizes that saving energy is better for business, people’s pocketbooks, and the environment than the traditional ways of generating and using energy.”
 
Majersik is optimistic about the campaign’s potential for impact, saying  “Most people don’t realize how much power we have at the local level to turn around the climate crisis.  As the capital of the most powerful nation on earth and the home to leaders from everywhere, we have a unique opportunity to deliver a message of hope and to lead the way in the fight against global warming.”

Clean Cars Passes in MD 2007 Legislative Session

The Clean Cars Act has been approved with no significant amendments by both the Maryland House and the Senate and is virtually guaranteed to pass out of Conference Committee this legislative session, which ends on April 9th. The Clean Cars Act regulates carbon dioxide emissions from all cars sold in Maryland and ensures that the state will greatly reduce its contribution to global warming. Continue reading

Gov. Kaine Announces Amendments to Dominion Energy bill

Press Release

p>March 27, 2007

Gov. Kaine Fails to Significantly Alter Pro-Global Warming Bill
Amendments Do Not Mandate Any Renewable Energy Development
 
March 27, 2007 — Governor Kaine yesterday announced his amendments to a bill put forth by Dominion Virginia Power that re-regulates Virginia’s electricity supply. The amendments fail to mandate any renewable energy development in Virginia.
 
“The Governor’s amendments do not significantly alter this deeply flawed legislation,” said Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action. “The bill remains a Dominion monopoly bill that does nothing to mandate the use and production of renewable energy. Under this bill, both consumers and the environment lose.”
 
Despite Governor Kaine’s amendments, the bill still favors new generation that will substantially increase global warming pollution. The amendments fail to level the playing field for energy efficiency, the cheapest, cleanest and fastest resource available to Virginians.
 
Virginia lawmakers overwhelming approved the bill during the 2007 legislative session that ended February 24. Dominion’s bill allowed for billions of dollars in guaranteed cost recovery for building new coal and nuclear plants as well as the construction of a power line that will cut straight through Northern Virginia.
 
A study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranked Virginia last nationally in per capita spending on energy efficiency programs. As a result of this bill, Virginia will continue to lag as one of the worst in the nation in terms of achieving substantial energy conservation and smarter management of electricity demand.
 
A coalition of environmental and consumer groups, including the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), have been strongly urging Governor Kaine to amend or veto the bill since its passage in late February. Thanks, in large part, to the coalition’s proposed amendments, clean energy solutions are finally a part of the energy policy debate, but no mandates for renewable energy use and generation were enacted this year. 
 
“The fight to move Virginia into a 21st century energy economy is just beginning,” said Don Giecek, Virginia Director of CCAN. “Virginia needs smart energy solutions that focus on efficiency and renewable energy first. Virginians are disappointed that Governor Kaine has missed this important opportunity to lead them toward a clean energy future.”