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bills
All environment bills
This resolution declares an emergency to fix a legal gap that would cause inconsistent net-zero energy rules for District-funded building projects. It repeals two temporary laws that currently pause strict energy standards for affordable housing and updates the definition of net-zero energy for all projects. By clearing these temporary provisions, the bill ensures that future changes to energy standards can be applied uniformly to both residential and nonresidential developments without causing uncertainty for developers.
This resolution declares an emergency to remove a $250 million debt cap on bonds issued under the Energy Efficiency Financing Act of 2010. It directly affects the District of Columbia's C-PACE program, which finances energy efficiency upgrades for buildings through property tax assessments. The resolution enables the DC Green Finance Authority to issue larger bonds - like a planned $470 million for The Geneva building conversion - without the existing cap, addressing current capacity constraints ($184 million used out of $250 million). It does not create new policy but removes a statutory barrier to meet market demand for energy efficiency projects.
This resolution clarifies that the District of Columbia's Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) can promulgate rules and regulations without requiring a 45-day Council review period. It addresses a drafting error in the 2021 Green Food Purchasing Amendment Act, which incorrectly applied the 45-day review requirement (intended only for the agency's initial rules) to all DOEE rules. The resolution eliminates this unnecessary review process to allow timely implementation of environmental regulations. It is an emergency measure to prevent a legal gap between expiring emergency authority and new permanent legislation. The change directly affects DOEE's rulemaking authority under District environmental laws.
This bill approves a $4.5 million contract extension for Compost Crew, Inc. (a benefit corporation) to provide residential organic waste collection services across Washington, D.C., from July 2024 through July 2025. It authorizes payment for services already delivered and to be delivered under the existing agreement, which has been modified multiple times to extend its duration without increasing cost until the final modification. The resolution treats this as an emergency to ensure uninterrupted service and payment compliance.
This resolution clarifies that DC Water may charge property owners - including those not connected to the sewer system (like parking lot owners) - an impervious area charge (CRIAC) to fund the Clean Rivers Project. The charge helps pay for upgrades to the District’s combined sewer system, mandated by a federal consent order, to reduce stormwater overflows during heavy rain. It addresses legal challenges questioning whether non-sewer-connected properties should pay the CRIAC, affirming the Council’s intent to spread the cost equitably. The resolution is an emergency measure to maintain this authority after temporary legislation expired.
This resolution clarifies three key definitions in District laws to prevent administrative confusion. It corrects a typo in the lead-based paint standard (changing "µg" to "mg"), fixes a grammatical error in the "producer" definition, and explicitly confirms that government agencies like the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) can manage community solar programs (e.g., Solar for All) as "subscriber organizations." These changes ensure DOEE can continue administering programs for low-income residents and avoid legal gaps. The emergency status addresses a temporary void between expiring emergency rules and new permanent legislation.
This resolution amends housing and building codes to adjust net zero energy standards for large residential and mixed-use projects receiving funding from the District's Housing Production Trust Fund. It removes requirements that previously applied through building permits, instead directing these standards to be enforced via the funding solicitation and award process. This change primarily affects developers and housing providers seeking District funding for new construction or major renovations, aiming to prevent delays in housing projects. The resolution also streamlines processes for the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) to implement energy improvements without extending project timelines. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.
