Section 10-A610. E-2.2 CONSERVING ENERGY

 

610.1Greater energy efficiency results in a cleaner city, better air quality, and lower energy bills for District residents. More than $1.3 billion a year is spent on energy by DC residents, employees, businesses, visitors, and government. It may be possible to slow the growth of these costs in the future, even as the city adds people and jobs. Energy conservation and efficiency measures can help reduce dependency on outside energy sources, reduce energy costs for the District’s most needy residents, and improve environmental quality. 610.1

 

610.2In the coming years, energy supply will be challenged by competitive sales for electricity and natural gas, and projected growth in the District. Furthermore, the District is no less vulnerable than other cities and states to petroleum fuel problems caused by the limited and precarious supply of this resource. Energy supply and demand must continue to be carefully managed and efficiency must be improved in all sectors. The text box to the right provides an overview of the Comprehensive Energy Plan, the District’s official guide for meeting future energy needs. 610.2

 

In most years, there is ample rainfall in the Potomac Basin to meet the city’s water needs, but a plentiful supply is not always guaranteed. With competing demands for land and water in the watershed during the next 20 years, the District cannot afford to overlook opportunities for conservation.

 

610.2a  Energy supply and demand must continue to be carefully managed and efficiency must be improved in all sectors.  The related text box provides an overview of the Comprehensive Energy Plan, the District’s official guide for meeting future energy needs.  With the District’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards (RPS), by 2020, a total of .04% of total electricity sold must be derived from District-generated solar resources.  To facilitate the construction of systems that will support the RPS goal, policies must be updated to reflect real market conditions currently at play in the region. Amended net metering, interconnection, and solar access laws will create favorable conditions for the continued adoption of climate neutral energy generation technologies.

 

610.3Policy E-2.2.1: Energy Efficiency

 

Promote the efficient use of energy, additional use of renewable energy, and a reduction of unnecessary energy expenses. The overarching objective should be to achieve reductions in per capita energy consumption by DC residents and employees. 610.3

 

610.4Policy E-2.2.2: Energy Availability

 

Improve energy availability and buffer District consumers from fluctuations in energy supply and prices. This should be achieved through the District’s energy purchasing policies, financial assistance programs for lower income customers, incentives for “green” power, and regulatory changes that ensure that local energy markets are operating efficiently. 610.4

 

610.5Policy E-2.2.3: Reducing Home Heatingand Cooling Costs

 

Encourage the use of energy-efficient systems and methods for home insulation, heating, and cooling, both to conserve natural resources and also to reduce energy costs for those members of the community who are least able to afford them. 610.5

 

610.6 Policy E-2.2.4: Alternative Energy Sources

 

Support the development and application of renewable energy technologies, such as active, passive, and photovoltaic solar energy, fuel cells, and other sustainable sources.  Such technology should be used to reduce the dependence on imported energy, provide opportunities for economic and community development, and benefit environmental quality. A key goal is the continued availability and access to unobstructed, direct sunlight for distributed-energy generators and passive-solar homes relying on the sun as a primary energy source.

 

610.7Policy E-2.2.5: Energy Efficient Building and Site Planning

 

Include provisions for energy efficiency and for the use of alternative energy sources in the District’s planning, zoning, and building standards. The planning and design of new development should contribute to energy efficiency goals. 610.7

 

610.8The 2003 Comprehensive Energy Plan 610.8

 

In 1981, the DC Council enacted legislation to establish the DC Energy Office. This legislation (DC Law 3-132) established the Energy Office as the statutorily created lead agency on energy plans, policies and programs. It also mandated the development of a Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) that would propose measures to conserve energy, favorably impact the DC budget, improve the local economy, create jobs, and help the environment. The first CEP was completed in 1987, proposing 48 practical and cost-effective measures for managing energy. An updated CEP was prepared in 1990, but was never published.

 

In 2003, the District’s third CEP was published. It outlines 43 interconnected measures the city can take to become more energy efficient, while at the same time improving energy reliability. The Plan recognizes that there are many local and federal laws on energy that are already in place. It builds on that foundation and lays out additional practices to improve energy security and protect the natural environment.

 

The Comprehensive Energy Plan has three major themes:

 

•“Increasing Energy Efficiency and Innovation" focuses on reducing energy consumption.

 

•“Enhancing Energy Availability and Affordability" concentrates on reducing the effects of the rising costs of energy.

 

•“Promoting Energy Collaboration and Security" addresses partnerships to help the city become energy efficient and be better prepared for energy emergencies.

 

Recommendations in the energy plan address the major use sectors (government, residential, institutional, etc.) and the following topical categories: Energy Assistance, Public Information/Education, Regulatory Intervention, Research and Development, and Emergency Planning.

 

Some of the key recommendations of the CEP have been incorporated as Comp Plan Actions. The CEP itself should be reviewed for additional detail.

 

610.9Policy E-2.2.6: Energy Efficiency at Major Employment Centers

 

Continue efforts that enable major employers in the city, including the government, institutions, schools, and the private sector to implement energy conservation measures. 610.9

 

610.10Policy E-2.2.7: Consumer Education on Energy

 

Promote citizen awareness concerning energy issues through educational and demonstration initiatives and other programs. 610.10

 

610.11Policy E-2.2.8: Conserving Energy Through Rate Structure

 

Continue to propose rate changes that encourage the efficient use of energy resources. Economic incentives and disincentives should vary based on the different classes of ratepayers, and should contribute to the economic viability of alternative energy sources. 610.11

 

610.12Policy E-2.2.9: Energy Security

 

Promote energy security through partnerships that enable the District to respond to energy emergencies and interruptions in supply. Participate in regional efforts to plan for such emergencies, including those organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. 610.12

 

610.13Action E-2.2.A: Energy Conservation Measures

 

Pursuant to the District’s Comprehensive Energy Plan, implement energy conservation programs for the residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. These programs include financial incentives, technical assistance, building and site design standards, public outreach, and other measures to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. 610.13

 

610.14Action E-2.2.B: Assistance Programs for Lower Income Households

 

Implement Comprehensive Energy Plan programs to reduce energy costs for lower income households, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and additional measures to reduce monthly energy costs. 610.14

 

610.15Action E-2.2.C: Consumer Education on Energy

 

Implement the District’s Comprehensive Energy Plan recommendations for education and public information on energy issues, including school curricula, awards programs, demonstration projects, websites, and multimedia production. 610.15

 

610.16Action E-2.2.D: Energy Regulatory Reforms

 

Enact legislative and regulatory reforms aimed at improving energy efficiency in the city in order to reduce energy costs and improve reliability. 610.16

 

Energy conservation and efficiency measures can help reduce dependency on outside energy sources, reduce energy costs for the District’s most needy residents, and improve environmental quality.

 

610.17Action E-2.2.E: Energy Emergency Plan

 

Prepare an energy emergency response plan by updating and consolidating existing emergency plans and working in collaboration with regional partners such as MWCOG. Regularly scheduled training for energy emergencies should be provided to appropriate District personnel. 610.17

 

610.18Action E-2.2.F: Review of DC Codes and Regulations for Energy Features

 

Review local building codes and zoning regulations to identify potential barriers to achieving energy efficiency goals-and to identify possible changes which would support energy goals. Building and zoning codes should be amended as necessary to encourage energy efficiency, and to remove barriers to using solar power and other renewable sources. 610.18

 

authority

Pursuant to the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1-306.01 et seq.), the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (10 DCMR A300 through A2520) (“Comprehensive Plan”).

source

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300) published at 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007); as amended by the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361) published at 58 DCR 908, 916 (February 4, 2011).

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.