2024 Sustainability Supplement in Honor of Earth Day

2024 Sustainability Supplement in Observance of Earth Day

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By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

Have you ever tried to buy groceries without purchasing any single-use plastic? I did it once, just to see what I would find. And honestly? For anyone who does their shopping at a typical American grocery store, the options as things currently stand are pretty bleak.

I figured I’d grab some unwrapped produce, like bananas and zucchini… but they came with little plastic stickers. Aluminum cans of soup mostly had filmy plastic labels wrapped around them. A promising jar of olive oil, with a glass bottle and a metal cap, turned out to have a plastic seal around the lid. In the end, I walked out with a head of broccoli (sans plastic produce bag), a few potatoes, a carton of eggs and a cardboard box of pancake mix… which I should have realized would contain a plastic bag inside.

My discouraging shopping trip was inspired by this year’s global Earth Day theme: Planet vs. Plastics. Once I started looking for disposable plastic, I saw it everywhere: in obvious things like takeout spoons and party balloons, chip bags and bubble wrap. But it’s also everywhere else, from the coating on my paper CVS receipt to the tea bags I reach for when my throat hurts.

At the same time, I’m seeing the movement to do better everywhere, too. My favorite music venue (shout out to the 9:30 Club!) has started serving drinks in reusable plastic cups, which concertgoers simply drop into a bin to be collected and sanitized. Hundreds of people show up to Malcolm X Park every few months for The Disco Loft’s seasonal clothing swaps—no plastic tags or disposable shopping bags in sight. A coffee shop down the street from me offers a “bring your own mug” discount.

The Washington Informer’s 2024 Earth Day Special Edition isn’t all about plastic. Instead, it’s about recognizing that, no matter where we live or what we do, environmental action and inaction intersects with every part of our lives.

That’s because “the environment” is not just a forest on a faraway mountain or a polar bear searching for some unmelted ice. As environmental justice advocates have said for decades: “the environment” is where we live, work, play and pray.

In this special Earth Day edition, you’ll find stories about business, sports, religion and health. Some of these stories focus on unexpected ways that planetary problems are causing humans harm. But others shine a light on people and organizations taking action – and the ways those actions make things better for people, not just for the planet.

(PS: If you want to learn more specifically about plastic’s impact on our lives, check out The Bridge’s upcoming Earth Day Salon on April 25 at Hill Prince!)

From Smokestacks to Tailpipes: The All-Out Effort to Cut Air Pollution in Neighborhoods Across the Country

By Dr. Tonya Calhoun Director for Community Engagement Environmental Defense Fund

Nearly two years ago, the U.S. secured historic investments from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and CHIPS and Science Act. This clean energy plan – nearly $550 billion for climate investments – is positioning our country to drive transformational progress on pollution, energy security and jobs in clean energy and manufacturing. It also provides household consumer tax credits and incentives to slash utility bills, upgrade appliances, help lower the purchase price of an electric vehicle and much more.

Getting those laws through Congress to President Biden’s desk was no easy feat — they were decades in the making — and this next chapter may be just as challenging: implementing and protecting these clean energy investments swiftly and fairly across the nation.

These historic government investments give us the tools we need to cut pollution from smokestacks to tailpipes and move to clean energy that will reduce harmful pollution, improve our health and create jobs. The plan supports all the hard work being done to strengthen technology and pollution standards to advance environmental justice and health equity at all levels. It takes everyone, individuals, our elected leaders, industry and all levers of government protections to address these challenges meaningfully. Our clean energy future is now.

Solutions for Pollution

The Biden Administration has been hard at work updating federal

regulations to protect our health, environment, and communities.

For the past two years, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced several updated standards that will help us meet our most ambitious climate goals while supporting a thriving economy.

In December, EPA finalized tougher clean air standards that, for the first time, establish protective limits on methane pollution from both new and existing oil and gas sources. The standards address two of the largest sources of U.S. oil and gas methane pollution, requiring regular leak monitoring at existing and new well sites and a phase-out of intentionally emitting devices widely used across industry. The rules also include a program to quickly address the largest leaks and malfunctions – known as super-emitters – and improved steps to curtail wasteful flaring (burning off excess gas).

In February, EPA announced a stronger soot standard of 9 micrograms per cubic meter, down from 12, a move that will protect the health of millions of Americans and save thousands of lives each year. Soot is closely linked to reduced lung development in children, higher rates of asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, cancer, and early deaths. A 2023 analysis by Industrial Economics for EDF found that soot is responsible for more than 100,000 premature deaths each year.

The more protective soot standards are especially vital for communities that have long borne the heaviest burden from air pollution. Black Americans 65 and older are three times more likely to die from exposure to soot than white Americans over 65, and people experiencing poverty are 49% more likely to live in areas that exceed the

5 Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Green Groups gathered in 2023 to honor the late Representative Donald McEachin, local faith leaders and continue the call for environmental justice.

12 micrograms per cubic meter soot standard.

Just this past month, EPA also finalized stronger limits on tailpipe pollution from cars, light and heavy duty trucks and buses that will lead to dramatically cleaner air and slash planet-warming pollution. These standards will slash climate and smog-forming pollution from new cars, SUVs and passenger trucks, and from heavy-duty vehicles like freight trucks, garbage trucks, and school buses in model years 2027 through 2032.

Transportation is the biggest source of planet-warming pollution in the United States. Tailpipe pollution is also harmful to your health — exposure is linked to asthma, heart disease and cancer. The clean car standards are expected to prevent more than 32,000 premature deaths and more than 16 million asthma attacks by 2055. They’ll help provide more choices for anyone who wants to buy a clean car, including electric vehicles that will save their owners money on gas and maintenance.

Jobs, jobs, jobs

Developing and producing clean energy and transportation in the U.S. is creating family-sustaining jobs in big cities and small towns— jobs for geologists, engineers,

We are Environmental Defense Fund, the organization that is all-in on climate — the greatest challenge of our time. Our game-changing solutions put people at the center of all we do to support public health, stabilize the climate and strengthen people and nature’s ability to thrive. We work where we can make the biggest impact. Bringing you in-depth analyses and resources that feature the people and ideas making a difference to advance clean energy and moving beyond petrochemicals.

scientists, construction workers and more. These new clean energy and infrastructure jobs are American jobs that solve American challenges. In the last nine years manufacturers have announced $188 billion in investments in electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing in the U.S. and 195,000 direct EV-related U.S. jobs. Most of those announcements occurred in the last 18 months since passage of the IRA.

Meanwhile, jobs in oil, gas and coal have not recovered to their pre-pandemic levels. Fossil fuel companies have spent decades creating barriers to entry for renewables: tax policy that favors dirty energy, special rules for oil, gas, and coal, and sweetheart deals that protect them from real financial competition with clean energy. Our communities do not have to be “sacrifice zones,” and these new standards coming from EPA put limits on this pollution through the legal and regulatory process.

The industrial and manufacturing sector itself is also responsible for a quarter of U.S. climate pollution. This includes investments for clean energy technology manufacturing that will help maximize jobs building electric vehicles, solar, wind and more, while minimizing supply chain disruptions and driving down pollution from the industrial sector that disproportionately impacts Black and Latin Americans.

Environmental justice for all

The clean energy plan gives us the opportunity to build out the infrastructure of the future and EPA’s new standards also set guardrails to protect the places and communities most impacted by this development.

5 Dr. Calhoun pictured with leaders from Walnut Way Conservation Corp, an organization dedicated to creating an economically diverse community through environmental stewardship, engagement and economic development.

Black, Hispanic and Indigenous communities and low-income areas face an enormous and unjust burden of pollution because fossil fuel industries are more likely to be located near them. They also face the greatest hazards from climate change while contributing the least, and they have the fewest resources to recover from its harm.

The Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act is an important piece of legislation that stands to strengthen the Civil Rights Act of 1964, fund research grant programs to investigate personal and childcare products that contain health harming chemicals and authorizes millions of annual funding dollars to support education, outreach, development and implementation of projects to address environmental and public health issues in communities most in need. We must ensure that federal and state governments implement the clean energy plan’s investments in an equitable and just way while opposing any effort that adds pollution to overburdened communities.

We all play a role

We can and must heal our world for us and for future generations. Every action our leaders take should move us toward abundant clean energy. By protecting these innovative technologies and standards, tax incentives and rebates, modernizing our electrical grid, making ourselves less dependent on the global market for fossil fuels and driving down the cost of clean sources of energy, everyone will benefit. g

For a Safer, Healthier Future, We Need Better Protections Against Pollution

By Dionne Delli-Gatti, Associate Vice President for Community Engagement, Environmental Defense Fund

Everyone has the right to live free from toxic air pollution, and thanks to the historic climate investments in the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re moving toward a clean energy future with safer, healthier air.

But polluters aren’t going quietly. The fossil fuel industry is increasingly pivoting to petrochemicals, which are made from oil and gas and are found in many of our everyday products: plastics, fertilizers, paints and more.

Petrochemicals pose major risks

protection of environmental laws, the harms of this pollution fall most heavily on communities of color and low-income areas. Across our country, from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio River Valley to Washington, D.C., community advocates have been organizing for decades to fight for cleaner air. In Ivy City, a historically Black community in Washington, D.C., with the highest concentration of industrial land in the District, a chemical plant in the Northeast D.C. residential community operates without an air quality permit—a result of being “grandfathered in” to older, more lax rules that pre-date the Clean Air Act.

Better protections against toxic air

And as the chemicals industry doubles down on fossil fuels, it’s important not to get distracted by false solutions, like chemical or “advanced” recycling. But not only is this experimental technology inefficient and climate-intensive, it also generates toxic air pollution and hazardous waste in the process. So-called “advanced” recycling is not a pathway to sustainability or the solution to the global plastics crisis. We need real solutions that are grounded in science and protective of our health. It’s essential for our leaders to hold petrochemical polluters accountable, and that the rules intended to keep us safe are rigorously enforced. All levels of government have a responsibility

5 Dionne and EDF’s Office of Community Engagement pose with Mayor Rex Richardson after hosting a Climate Roundtable event in Long Beach, California.

Better protections against toxic pollution can deliver cleaner air, a more stable climate and safer, healthier communities. .

Climate Change Hampers Youth Athletics

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Climate change’s effect on the environment and the economy are regularly discussed topics and concerns, but its impact on the health and lifestyle of athletes is often understated.

Changes in air quality and humidity make athletic activity more difficult, especially with the rise in asthma and breathing issues for youth and adolescents. Heat stroke is the third most common cause of sudden death for young athletes behind cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injuries.

The death of University of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair, after suffering a heat stroke during a UMD football practice in 2018 is a sad local reminder of the dangers of overworking athletes in extreme temperatures.

Maize Wimbush, a teen bicycling champion from Prince

George’s, has experienced some of the effects of climate change firsthand; namely, the closure of potential training facilities and competition opportunities due to heat and rain closures.

“Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke, especially during summer months,” Wimbush said. “This can impact training regimens and require adjustments in scheduling, which can create emotional stress and potentially impact the mental well-being of young athletes. Climate change contributes to poor air quality, primarily through increased levels of air pollution and allergens, which can trigger respiratory issues that can affect the performance and participation of youth athletes.”

Wimbush said in response to environmental challenges, “sports organizations, coaches, and communities are encouraged to raise awareness of climate change risks.”

She said athletic professionals are told to “do our best to advocate for environmental conservation in an effort to promote sustainable practices within sports.”

Climate change can have even more severe effects on sports involving animals. Morissa Hall, a champion teen horse rider from Prince George’s County, has experienced this firsthand.

“The warmer temperatures create an increased chance for infections from ticks and pests,” Hall’s father said in an email interview. “Furthermore, horses don’t tolerate exercise at a high level in the heat. So we limit the competitions during the spring and summer in the best interest of the horses.”

Last year, Negro League Legend Hall of Fame founder Dwayne Sims planned the 90th Annual East v. West All Star Game, a free event celebrating Negro League history, for late July. The event was rescheduled to late August due to a heat wave—the high for the original date was 97 degrees with a “feels-like” temperature of 108.

Sims noted that Maryland has experienced unsettled weather patterns in recent years, giving rise to long and humid springs followed by drought-like conditions in the summers.

The harms of extreme heat also don’t fall on everyone equally. Predominantly Black, brown and low-income neighborhoods nationally and in the DMV are more likely to experience the urban heat island effect, which causes some areas to get far hotter than others.

Urban heat islands are usually places that have little green space, few trees and lots of asphalt and other dark man-made surfaces; these are often Black neighborhoods due to the legacy of red-lining and other historic and ongoing racist policies.

Further, people with preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart disease and asthma face higher risks for the health harms associated with high heat. Because of a wide range of factors—from food deserts to healthcare access barriers to generational wealth gaps—these health issues disproportionately affect Black and low-income Americans.

“Climate change is affecting our youth, especially those from unhealthy environments,” Sims said.g

Maize Wimbush, a competitive cyclist hailing from the DMV, pointed out that climate change and weather effects have frequently led to the closing or re-scheduling of athletic events, yet another barrier for adolescent athletes.

(Courtesy Photo/Maize Wimbush)

Prince George’s County Wants You to Bag It Right!

Submitted by The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment

Prince George’s County has always been a leader in green technology and adaptation, as well as a supporter of the state of Maryland’s goal of 85% waste diversion by the year 2040. And our next move for a greener, cleaner Prince George’s County is to ditch plastic bags with the Better Bag Bill.

What is the Better Bag Bill?

Prince George’s County passed legislation prohibiting all retail establishments from providing plastic carryout bags to shoppers. Instead, shoppers must pay a minimum fee for reusable bags provided by the business. To avoid the fee, shoppers can bring their own bag or container.

Businesses will be required to provide paper bags, and if they offer reusable bags, they must charge a minimum of 10 cents per bag. Reusable bags are defined as stitched, handled bags specifically made of cloth or other washable fabric or a durable material suitable for reuse that is NOT made of plastic film.

When does the Bill take full effect?

The Better Bag Bill started January 1, 2024, with a three-month grace period that gave shoppers and businesses time to adjust. Starting April 1, the County is enforcing the law with fines.

Why limit the use of plastic bags?

There are many reasons Prince George’s County is saying no to plastic:

• Plastic bags are not recyclable, and improper disposal causes wear and tear on our recycling facilities, incurring unnecessary costs for taxpayers.

• The environmental impact of plastic bags is alarming—it takes a staggering 1,000 years for them to decompose in landfills. Even then, they break down into microplastics that contaminate our food, water, and soil, posing a long-lasting threat to our ecosystem.

• Plastic bags are deadly for wildlife.

• Plastic bags are one of the most common types of litter, and cleaning them up from our parks, roads, and waterways costs County taxpayers.

The Better Bag Bill aims to address these issues by encouraging County businesses and shoppers to move toward a more sustainable alternative.

Who will be affected?

Any and all shoppers and businesses—not just grocery stores— in Prince George’s County! Shoppers will no longer be offered plastic bags or free paper bags. Businesses will be expected to provide alternatives.

Plastic bags can still be provided to:

• Package bulk items, including fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items.

• Wrap frozen foods, meat, or fish, whether prepackaged or not.

• Wrap flowers, potted plants, or other damp items.

• Contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods.

• Protect or contain garments or dry-cleaned clothes; protect suits, dresses, and formalwear.

• Take live fish, insects, mollusks, or crustaceans away from a retail store.

Paper bag fees will be waived for:

• Paper bags containing prescription drugs.

• Paper bags containing prepared food at the drive-through window of a restaurant.

• Paper bags provided by a full-service restaurant after a meal for leftovers.

How will the Bill be enforced?

The Department of the Environment will oversee the enforcement. Starting April 1, businesses not complying with the Bill are subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $500. Shoppers will not have to worry about penalties but will have to pay if they choose to get paper bags at the store instead

of bringing their own.

Bringing your own reusable bags is a small habit that makes a big impact and will save you mon ey. Here are some practical tips for bagging it right:

• Leave a few reusable bags in your car, so you’ll have them whenever you are out and about.

• Store your reusable bags by the door, near your car keys, or with your store coupons.

• Look for lightweight, fold able reusable bags that can be kept in a purse or work bag, or even stored at work.

• Don’t forget to wash your bags!

Together, we can make a big difference in our County and our environment. All it takes is a small change! Visit mypgc.us/bagitright to learn more. g

Engaging Black Churches to Counter the Climate Crisis

By Jacqueline Fuller WI Contributing Writer

Black churches in the DMV are becoming more involved in the work to build awareness in their congregations about the threat of climate change. Congregations are inspired by biblical principles to be good stewards of the Earth.

In celebration of Earth Month, check out how local churches have engaged in protecting and preserving the environment.

Metropolitan AME Church in Northwest, D.C. is a leader within the Smart Surfaces Coalition, a group of organizations from the private and nonprofit sectors that focuses on extreme heat and its devastating impact, primarily in communities that are already most vulnerable. The coalition advocates for land use and building material choices that reduce the heat island effect, which often dis-

proportionately impacts communities that have historically been marginalized.

“It is the Black church’s theological responsibility to care for all creation and all humanity,” said the Rev. William H. Lamar, IV, pastor at Metropolitan AME. “But it is also our vocation, to yell out and emphatic no, when we see communities taken advantage of.”

The Rev. Dr. Jon Robinson, Smart Surfaces senior program director with Metropolitan AME Church, said that the congregation is currently spearheading a grant program through the coalition that will help fund climate resilience projects by churches and community organizations around the country.

The following churches are part of Interfaith Power & Light’s (DC. MD.NoVA) network of grassroots groups that are engaged in environmental awareness and climate action:

East Washington Heights Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Laurel, MD are active in the National Wildlife Federation’s Sacred Grounds program. They have educated their communities about the value of native plants, distributed native plants to their members and neighbors and planted and tended beautiful native plant gardens on their grounds.

Stillmeadow Community Fellowship, a church in Baltimore, serves as a Resiliency Hub and is installing native plants on their property. They have restored 10 acres of wooded forest to create a Peace Park, which is used for environmental education and other climate solutions.

St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Annapolis has also been engaged in climate solutions, planting native plants, creating retention ponds,

and using other sustainable solutions to mitigate climate change.

Varick Memorial AME Zion in River Terrace in Northeast, D.C. has been working with Washington Interfaith Network to test for gas leaks in their neighborhoods and for pollution in gas-burning kitchens in neighbors’ homes, and advocating for the Healthy Homes Act, which the D.C. Council recently passed.

5 Pastor André Greene of Ward 7’s Varick Memorial AME Zion Church holds a nitrogen dioxide monitor. Members of his congregation, in collaboration with the Washington Interfaith Network, use it to conduct air quality tests in residents’ kitchens while gas stoves and ovens run. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Kayla Benjamin contributed to this article. g

Ward 8’s McKnight Seeks to Influence D.C. Energy Sector

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

The energy movement in general has been slow to reach African Americans and women in terms of entrepreneurship but Queen McKnight, a Ward 8 resident, is determined to be a leader in the field.

McKnight is the founder and proprietor of Queens Energy Conservation LLC, based in Southeast Washington. Queens Energy Conservation specializes in energy industry general contracting, construction management and innovative energy efficiency services to residential, commercial and government clients.

“Our firm works on bridges and roadways as well as schools, institutions, dental and doctor’s offices and residences,” said McKnight, 32. “There is a need for primary contractors to be conscious of global sustainability.”

McKnight’s venture, founded in

2020, took root as a September 2021 report released by advocacy groups E2, Alliance to Save Energy, American Association of Blacks in Energy, Energy Efficiency for All and Black Owners of Solar Services revealed that although women account for nearly 48% of the U.S. workforce, they hold just 27% of clean energy jobs and account for 25% of the total energy sector workforce.

The report also said Blacks, who constitute 13% of both the U.S. population and labor force, hold only 10% of all energy jobs and 8% of positions in renewable energy generation and fuels, energy efficiency, grid modernization, clean vehicle manufacturing and similar industries.

McKnight, a 2009 graduate of Ballou High School in Ward 8, said her journey toward entrepreneurship started in June 2010, when she enrolled in the Step Up program designed to help young people from Ward 7 and 8 get into the skilled

trades. She trained as an electrician and worked in that field for a few years before pivoting to construction.

McKnight was interested in energy conservation and sustainability in construction as well as owning her own business. Founding Queens Energy Conservation LLC enabled her to pursue both passions.

The entrepreneur said her company is a District certified business enterprise and is working on getting federal certifications. She speaks of “breathing construction” and wants to become an advocate for women in the field.

The local businesswoman said she strongly supports STEM education through projects promoting energy conservation and encourages students to become advocates in their future career by emphasizing the role they can play in promoting sustainable practices, reducing waste and designing energy-efficient buildings.

McKnight said through her com-

pany and her work, she wants to bring positive change in the community.

“As a product of my environment, I want to bring opportunity to my environment,” she said. “I tell peo-

The Future Depends on Us

ple you can be the betterment of our world. By reducing the carbon footprint, you are helping the community.”

Queen McKnight, owner of the Ward 8-based company Queens Energy Conservation LLC. (Courtesy Photo/Queen McKnight)

Advancing Our Safe Energy Future

Washington Gas is focused on today’s safety considerations while building a lower-carbon energy future.

At Washington Gas, safety is a non-negotiable core value. We are focused on today’s safety considerations while building a lower-carbon energy future. As part of this commitment, we’re pursuing a thoughtful, risk-based approach to pipeline replacements throughout the DMV. Our work enhances safety, reliability and affordability while helping lower emissions.

“We’re making a strategic investment of $1.7 billion over the next five years in pipeline modernization,” said Blue Jenkins, President of Washington Gas. “We’ve coupled this with our industry’s $125 million commitment to advance lower- and zero-carbon technologies. It’s a powerful strategy that simultaneously addresses multiple goals to strengthen our energy future.”

As we amplify safety and reliability through infrastructure modernization and replacement, we are addressing leaks and fugitive methane emissions. Upgrading our network includes replacing cast iron and unprotected steel pipe with new medium and high-density polyethylene pipe, which is not subject to the threat of corrosion.

Our long-term goal is to maintain the safety of our pipeline systems as part of a commitment to reliably serving our customers now and far into the future. For example, Washington, D.C. alone depends on 400 miles of cast iron— or one-third of its mains—to meet its energy needs. This infrastructure will need to be replaced in the coming years.

We operate three large-scale accelerated pipe replacement programs throughout our region. These long-term initiatives logged noteworthy results in 2023 alone, with a cumulative reduction of 358,602 metric tons of greenhouse gas equivalents as of the end of 2023.

District of Columbia | PROJECTpipes (started June 2014)

2023 GHG equivalent reduction: 1,326 metric tons

2023 automobiles equivalent reduction: 283

2023 miles of pipe retired: 5.31

Maryland | Strategic Infrastructure Development and Enhancement Plan STRIDE (started January 2014)

2023 GHG equivalent reduction: 2,149 metric tons

2023 automobiles equivalent reduction: 459

2023 miles of pipe retired: 12.40

Virginia | Steps to Advance Virginia’s Energy Program

SAVE (started January 2010)

2023 GHG equivalent reduction: 2,857 metric tons

2023 automobiles equivalent reduction: 611

2023 miles of pipe retired: 21.87

Be sure to read “Why STRIDE matters for securing Maryland’s energy future.” The article explores the importance of maintaining safety and reliability for existing natural gas infrastructure while simultaneously supporting climate goals.

Focusing on pipeline updates is also a core part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan (December 2023). It aims to reduce emissions from covered pipelines by up to 55%, potentially eliminating up to one million metric tons of methane emissions in 2030 alone—the equivalent of 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The White House estimates this initiative could create up to $2.3 billion in annual benefits.

Other research also confirms the high practicality and value of pipe replacement programs. For example, the United States Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration states that such programs “enhance safety and reliability, contribute to cost savings over

the longer-term, and [are] less disruptive to customers and communities than a reactive approach.”

Enter the Energy Trilemma

You might have heard more recently about the term energy trilemma. Coined by the World Energy Council in 2010, it refers to our energy future’s three simultaneous and sometimes competing goals.

Affordability ensures everyone can access the energy they need and deserve. Reliability focuses on a steady, dependable energy supply for comfortable homes and uninterrupted industry. Climate goals support developing technologies that include lower-carbon energy sources.

At Washington Gas, our pipeline replacement commitment is just one of our strategies to help balance the energy trilemma. The American Gas Association estimates that in the past decade alone, natural gas helped families save $125 billion while trimming more than $500 billion from commercial and industrial costs. Currently 3.3 times more affordable than electricity, the price for natural gas is also projected to be 30-50% less than the price of other fuels through 2050.

Pipeline replacement- bolsters our nation‘s ability to integrate high-value energy sources, such as renewable natural gas (RNG). RNG is carbon-neutral, versatile and fully compatible with the U.S. pipeline system, potentially supporting lower-carbon energy solutions for homes, businesses and heavy industries.

Upgrading our nation’s pipeline network has already contributed significantly to a declining emissions trend. Since 1990, the miles of modern-material natural gas main have more than tripled, and emissions from the natural gas distribution system have declined by 70%.

Washington Gas is proud to focus on safely meeting today’s global, national, local and personal energy needs while working to resolve tomorrow’s challenges. Please visit washingtongas.com to explore our energy future.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Washington Gas sponsorships of WUSA9 Recycle Days have helped reclaim 129 tons of paper and 60 tons of electronics.

Our next Recycle Day event is Oct. 26. Please watch WUSA9 and Washington Gas social media accounts for details.

Happy Earth Day on April 22!

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter

Q&A: What Does Childhood Asthma Have to Do With the Environment?

Across the nation’s capital, more than 16,000 children suffer from asthma, and the condition is far more common in communities east of the river—a disparity that primarily stems from environmental factors, including triggers inside homes and air pollution indoors and outdoors.

Research from Children’s National Hospital’s asthma clinic, IMPACT DC, has tracked the connection between housing issues and asthma incidents to create an interactive Healthy Housing Map. The tool identifies multi-family buildings in the District that have both high rates of kids’ asthma-related emergency

room visits and unhealthy housing conditions connected to asthma severity. Those conditions include pest issues, dust and mold.

In an interview with The Washington Informer, IMPACT DC’s Dr. Candice Dawes discussed how environmental factors affect childhood asthma in the District and what families can do to help keep asthmatic kids healthy.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

WI: What are some of the early signs that parents should be aware of when identifying asthma in children?

CD: For some people it may [present] a little bit different.

[However], some of the common symptoms that we usually see is a chronic cough, or maybe some shortness of breath. The children may [express] that they feel like they can’t sort of keep up with their peers when they do activities, whether in sports or [in] P.E. or recess. One of the other things that we commonly see is when a child or an adolescent has a cold, they have a cough that lingers longer than the time period we would expect.

WI: We know that environmental factors play a huge role in triggering asthma episodes and increasing the severity of attacks. Can you share some of the most prevalent environmental factors that

trigger asthma attacks for children when it comes to housing and community design?

CD: There are lots of things that sort of predispose a child to asthma. There could be genetic factors. Prematurity can do that. But some of the things that we commonly see that are specific to D.C. are housing issues. We see that quite often. We see houses that aren’t up to code and so they may have mold, mildew, pest issues that exacerbate a child’s asthma.

Poor ventilation is a big one that actually makes children’s asthma worse. We see houses that either don’t have good ventilation or either the family or the land-

Sustainable Energy for All 8 Wards.

Creating a clean and energy-efficient District for all 8 wards, together

lord can’t keep up with changing the filters. Other things in a home may be gas or kitchen appliances, which can exacerbate the symptoms. In addition, pollen in D.C. We do have really high pollen counts, especially this time of year. So, March, April and May tend to be times where asthma in D.C. is particularly worse.

Depending on the neighborhood that you live in and the proximity that you are to highways, some of that pollution from cars, trucks, etc. can also exacerbate the symptoms, especially for children who live in southeast D.C. who are sort of close to 295. Some of that air pollution can actually be an allergen for them.

Across the globe, people are reevaluating the way they think about and use energy, cutting consumption while embracing new technology and renewable sources of power. Efficiency upgrades and the use of clean energy are the easiest ways to drastically reduce one’s energy bill and impact on the environment.

But awareness alone is not enough. DC knows better than anyone: real change requires action. Since 2011, the DCSEU has strived to empower community members and businesses by providing the resources that help make efficiency and clean energy more accessible to everyone.

DCSEU.com/about (202) 479-2222

info@dcseu.com

Even though a lot of the buildings have codes about smoke and how close you can be in a proximity to smoking near a building, a lot of people don’t uphold those regulations, so smoke can be a big factor too, to exacerbate asthma symptoms for juveniles and children. H

Research, and Advocacy. Through that clinical care arm, we try to see the majority of the children who are seen at any emergency room or hospitalized for asthma, regardless of whether or not you see us for primary care, we will see all of those children who have had a hospitalization or an emergency visit for asthma.

In addition, we take referrals from school nurses, we take refer-

ways make sure of is that a child has an Albuterol inhaler, which is their rescue if they are having symptoms, and has an asthma action plan, which is essentially a plan that tells anyone who was involved in that child’s care how to manage their asthma. Meaning when their asthma is great, this is what they take, which may be no medications, and when their asthma is starting to flare, what do they take, and then when they are having an asthma attack, what do they take?

We do virtual home visits where we go into the home of some of those kids who have pretty uncontrolled or not well-controlled asthma and really identify triggers that are in the home that we can help the family to work on remediating. Whether that’s the family doing something or they’re on their own, or we were giving them sort of supplies to help or either helping them to get through to the

landlord to to actually help them.

WI: What can parents do to combat or reduce the severity of their children’s asthma to prevent emergency assistance in most cases?

CD: That is ideally what we try to avoid, is having asthma have any sort of impact on their life. And so yes, knowing the triggers, and either avoiding or limiting triggers is a big key. If your trigger is dust, make sure the home is dust free. So, we advocate for homes without carpet, because what does carpet do? It harbors dust. If heat is a trigger, on those days we say watch the heat advisories on those days where we have a code red or one of the higher codes that is not so safe. If a cold is a trigger, there’s no way we can really avoid a cold, but making sure we have good hand washing and good hand hygiene at the first sign of a cold.

Or if it’s smoke, we ask those family members who care for you, to smoke around you.

A second big key is medication management. Knowing what medications you are on and being compliant with the medications is a big key, and that’s where that asthma action plan comes in. It tells you what your medications are and when you need medications.

And then just making sure that you see your pediatrician or primary care doctor if your child has asthma every three to six months, so that these things can be reevaluated and the education can be given again, so that we don’t have a space where either you’re out of medications or you don’t know what the triggers are so you constantly end up in the emergency room or in the hospital for something that we could possibly avoid.

A Blueprint for the District’s Sustainable Future

Submitted by DC Public Service Commission

In his recent performance oversight hearing testimony before the D.C. Council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) Chairman Emile C. Thompson offered a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s significant efforts in advancing clean energy initiatives across the city.

Thompson’s remarks underscored the pivotal role the DCPSC plays in guiding the District towards achieving its ambitious clean energy goals while ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and affordable utility services to all residents.

Thompson’s testimony focused on the progress the DCPSC has made in the past year in guiding the clean energy transition through formal case proceedings, innovative pilot projects, and advancements in solar interconnection.

For example, the DCPSC is developing a standardized benefit-cost analysis framework to assist the Com-

mission in making decisions about utility programs based on best regulatory practices and the District’s climate commitments. This framework will consider important factors such as affordability, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and metrics for social and racial equity, thereby ensuring that clean energy initiatives benefit all residents equitably.

Under Thompson’s leadership, the DCPSC has also spearheaded several innovative pilot projects aimed at modernizing the energy delivery system and accelerating the adoption of clean energy technologies. Projects such as a community heat pump pilot at the Barry Farm Redevelopment in Ward 8 and at the Meadow Green Courts in Ward 7 exemplify the District’s commitment to using emerging technologies for sustainability and resilience. The DCPSC is committed to exploring new opportunities for renewable energy procurement and connecting individuals and small businesses to advance clean energy initiatives that benefit the entire community.

The DCPSC also continues to provide rigorous oversight for critical

infrastructure projects that enhance the grid’s resiliency and reliability, such as the Capital Grid Project and DC PLUG. The Capital Grid Project, which addresses aging infrastructure and load growth, recently succeeded in rebuilding and energizing a 60year electricity substation that serves customers in Ward 1. DC PLUG, which seeks to improve electric service reliability by placing vulnerable power lines underground, also recently completed construction on specific power distribution lines and successfully placed them into service. Through these infrastructure projects, the Commission continues to play a vital role in modernizing the District’s aging energy infrastructure.

Thompson went on to emphasize the Commission’s unwavering commitment to community safety and resilience during severe weather events and emergencies. The DCPSC is vigilant in overseeing the restoration of electricity service for customers who lose power due to inclement weather, such the storm that tore through the city in July 2023. Thompson also highlighted the Commission’s swift

response to incidents like the January 2024 natural gas explosion in Anacostia, stressing the importance of thorough investigation and regulatory oversight to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of residents.

Closing his testimony before the Council, Thompson expressed gratitude for the Committee’s support and reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to advancing clean energy goals in the District. Looking ahead, he outlined the Commission’s strategic pri-

orities for 2024, including enhancing collaboration, optimizing the use of technology, and hosting events like the Commission’s Clean Energy Summit to encourage dialogue and innovation in the clean energy sector. This year’s Clean Energy Summit will take place in October.

The DCPSC continues to lead the charge towards a cleaner, more resilient future for all residents of the District. g

5 A large solar installation in Ward 8 that is helping power the District’s Solar for All program.

By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

The Sustainable DC Plan, which came out in 2013, said the District should begin diverting 80% of its waste away from landfills and incinerators by 2032. Two decades later, the city has made some progress,

D.C.’s New Plan to Slash its Trash

particularly when it comes to composting and recycling—but it’s not likely to achieve the original goal.

A long-awaited Zero Waste DC Plan, which the D.C. Department of Public Works (DPW) released earlier this year, pushed the target date back eight years. To reach 80% waste diversion by 2040, the plan lays out 43 actions aimed at

5

seven overarching goals, which include reducing how much waste we generate, increasing how much we reuse and expanding access to recycling and composting services.

BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD

As D.C.’s population grows, so does its trash: DPW expects the District to generate about 270,000 tons more solid waste in 2038 than it did in 2018. Reducing the amount of waste our growing city sends to landfills will be expensive. The Zero Waste Plan estimates it would cost more than $900 million over the 2023-2040 timeframe to implement all 43 actions.

“Composting costs more than recycling, which costs more than trash. Waste reduction programs tend to be very expensive, [as do] reuse programs,” Charlotte Dreizen, the Plastics Industry Association’s sustainability director and a former analyst in DPW’s Office of Waste Diversion, said. “It’s the antithesis of a level playing field— the worst disposal pathways are the cheapest by a large margin.”

But John Johnson, the head of DPW’s Office of Waste Diversion,

5 Volunteers and event attendees stop by a clothing/item swap station at a March 30 Zero Waste DC Community Fair hosted by D.C.’s Department of Public Works and Department of Energy and Environment. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

said that if D.C. households focus on reducing consumption and recycling more effectively, that can still make a “tremendous” difference.

“While we can have all these sort of pie in the sky ideas, if people don’t really participate in them,

they don’t really work,” Johnson said. “Just getting folks to get involved and do the basics—that’s the first place I would like to start.”

Read more on washingtoninformer.com. g

Chef Bertrand Brown-Orleans bakes muffins and cakes using banana peels as part of a lesson on ways to cook with food scraps during the Zero Waste DC Community Fair on March 30. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

District Sustainability Plan Gets an Upgrade

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), in partnership with 20+ agencies, is actively updating one of the District’s flagship plans: Sustainable DC. Sustainable DC was first released in 2013 with the vision to make DC the healthiest, greenest, most livable city for all residents by 2032. This ambition to transform the District within a generation resulted in a plan full of bold ideas and innovative strategies. We’re at the critical halfway point of the plan’s implementation, with remarkable achievements over the past ten years.

Since Sustainable DC’s initial release, the District has engaged with thousands of residents to develop targeted actions plans on specific areas of focus like climate adaptation, transportation electrification, and waste reduction. New working groups and offices have been established like the DOEE Equity Committee and Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity to equip District agencies with the tools and support needed to apply a racial equity lens across programs. Sustainability programs have hit key milestones and new programs have been established. For instance, over 6.5 million square feet of green roofs are now installed in the District and the FloodSmart Homes program was launched to help residents adapt to increased flooding anticipated due to climate change. Capital Bikeshare expanded to over 350 stations in the District, putting over 80% of the District’s population within a quarter mile of a station. DC has been rated as having the #1 parks system in the country for 4 out of the last 5 years, with more improvements to recreation options coming through the recent Ready2Play plan. The new version of the plan, Sustainable DC 3.0, will build on these successes and continue pushing on the actions needed to meet our ambitious sustainability goals. See how far we’ve come through our annual progress reports at https:// sustainable.dc.gov/ and stay tuned for the latest version of the plan later this year. g

Sign up today and help reduce the amount of pollution going to the Anacostia, Potomac & Rock Creek.

Get your FREE assessment and qualify for native plant gardens, rain barrels, shade trees or hard surface removal.

Powering a Cleaner, Brighter Future for Our Communities

Pepco’s innovative approach to redefine energy through sustainable and equitable solutions

Submitted by Pepco

It’s imperative for utilities to recognize their role in combating climate change and to embrace measures to make critical change. Pepco recognizes that we are more than an energy company and can lead the charge on critical issues. We are proud of our efforts that allow us to be a driving force in building a more sustainable future for the communities we serve.

Embracing this challenge puts Pepco in a leadership position to drive meaningful environmental action and lead an energy transformation for the next generation.

We recognize that every step we take, big or small, adds up to a healthier planet – one that future generations can enjoy for years to come. We’re leading by example on our Path to Clean journey, a multi-pronged approach to actively lower our carbon footprint. This includes embracing clean energy solutions, like solar power and electric vehicles, and innovating to modernize our infrastructure. Through our suite of energy efficiency programs, we’re also giving our customers the resources to join the sustainability journey, helping them save money on electricity bills while reducing their environmental impact.

Modernizing Critical Infrastructure

Pepco shares the District and Maryland’s vision for a healthy, green and livable future. As a company with critical energy infrastructure and a vested interest in this community, we’re committed to leading the charge on our region’s energy transformation.

Storms and weather events are becoming more severe each year, underscoring our need for a resilient, climate-ready grid. To achieve this, we’re embracing innovation with year-round proactive investments to increase resiliency, minimize outages and ensure consistent service. Together, these projects resulted in customers experiencing the lowest frequency of electric outages in 2023, and a 57 percent overall decrease in outages over the last decade.

Our Capital Grid Project is a 10year strategy to enhance reliability by creating a smarter local energy grid while helping the District meet its clean energy goals. In tandem, we’re rebuilding our F Street and L Street substations to increase downtown

energy capacity as part of our Downtown Distribution Resupply Project – one of many initiatives currently underway to build a smarter, stronger and cleaner energy grid.

Expanding Access to Clean Energy Solutions

A major part of combatting climate change is overcoming equity barriers. The unfortunate truth is that climate change disproportionately impacts under-resourced communities, making equity non-negotiable in the energy transformation. We’re committed to investing equitably in clean energy infrastructure and helping remove barriers and reduce up-front costs associated with transitioning to cleaner energy solutions.

As part of our EVsmart program, which provides customers with rebates, tools, and information on how to “go electric,” we have installed more than 200 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Maryland, bringing us closer to our goal of installing 250 EV charging stations across Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. Many of these chargers are placed in United States Department of Energy designated Justice40 communities, helping drive equitable access to charging infrastructure. Ultimately, our goal is to provide drivers with flexibility and the ability to travel across the region without worrying that they might run out of power. By expanding access, we can empower all communities and bridge the gap to a more sustainable future.

Teaming Up with Local, Likeminded Organizations

Pepco’s commitment to sustainability is an ongoing journey, one that we can’t embark on alone. We are dedicated to working with our communities, partners, and customers to foster a more inclusive and sustainable energy ecosystem.

During Earth Month, our employees are showcasing their passion to protect our planet. Throughout April, they’re donating their time and energy to volunteer for local nonprofits and organizations that are dear to their hearts, helping to clean local parks, plant trees, and recycle. Our shared commitment is further strengthened through our partnerships with the Arbor Day Foundation, the Anacostia Watershed Society, Sustainable Maryland, and so many more who share

our vision of a brighter tomorrow.

As for our custmers, we understand that they are key partners in creating a sustainable future, so we offer a variety of programs and tools that empower them to make informed choices about their energy consumption. From en-

ergy audits and rebate programs for energy-efficient appliances to personalized energy savings tips through My Account, we provide resources that help them save energy and money simultaneously.

Embracing innovation, champi-

oning responsible practices, and empowering our customers are the pillars of our sustainability strategy. While there’s always more to achieve, this Earth Month, we celebrate our progress and look forward to the exciting path ahead. g

By creating a climate ready energy grid and enabling cleaner affordable energy solutions, we’re powering the pathway to a healthier, more sustainable future. Learn more about this and other ways we’re delivering more value to our customers at pepco.com/MoreThanEnergy. Cleaner

Howard University Gets Green with Sustainability Initiatives Climate Change, Energy Conservation and Greenery at the Top of Priorities

By Jada Ingleton WI Intern

It’s been over a decade since Howard University (HU) first began to seriously engage in efforts to promote sustainability. Since then, the school has invested in new academic programs and campus facilities projects focused on carbon reduction, climate resilience and environmental justice.

Howard was one of the first HBCUs to introduce an environmental studies program, which the school launched as an interdisciplinary major in 2016. That same year, the school signed a deal with Volt Energy—a company founded by two HU alumni—to install solar panels on rooftops around campus in what was at the time D.C.’s largest on-site solar project.

The solar project was completed in 2020, but it was initially scheduled to be fully online three years earlier,

according to a 2016 case study document by Edison Energy. Funding obstacles and other setbacks have required the university to adopt an incremental approach to many aspects of its sustainability agenda. However, after a decade-long journey, the support of local regulations and implementation of campus projects has proven that the grass, quite literally, is greener on the other side.

The 2020 Central Campus Master Plan outlines the university’s priorities for long-term improvements to its main campus, and environmental sustainability features as a core principle. The document includes recommendations for increasing greenery around campus, improving energy efficiency, creating more walkable spaces and preventing stormwater runoff.

“So much is changing to create resilience for the university, and this is the best way to do it,” said Janelle

Burke, interim chair of the Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity. “The community, the degrees we’ve built [and] the interaction with the Office of Sustainability has only grown. Of course, we can do better and we can keep growing…but we’re on a great trajectory.”

Some of the projects the institution currently lists in its plans to address conservation, climate change and waste management include:

The creation of a steam plant, intended to lower the campus’s carbon footprint and further Howard’s energy-saving objectives

Installation of solar arrays in the West campus parking lot, which will power the Howard University School of Law, provide parking shade and decrease the reliance on electric methods

Strengthening the recycling program to combat waste management

Earlier this spring, the university

responded to a rat infestation issue related to compost bins on campus by demolishing both the bins and the student-run garden connected to them.

Bison Community Environmentalism Beyond University-Funded Initiatives

Howard students and alumni also advance sustainability through several campus-based organizations and activities. Students can get involved in environmental action through the annual RecyleMania contest, the Howard chapter of conservation group Defend our Future and the Halo G.R.E.E.N Garden Club.

Taylor Campbell, junior political science major and Howard ambassador for Defend our Future, speaks to where she believes the biggest sustainability issue lies within her peers.

“I think a lot of people are not aware of how environmental justice affects the Black community,” Campbell said. “I think to tackle the problem, you have to make sure

people are aware that there even is a problem.”

Students can learn about environmental justice and related issues through the new Department of Earth, Environment, and Equity (E3), which will welcome its first students next fall. According to Burke, learning your rights, understanding what’s harmful to you and examining how you can effectively change it will increase awareness about environmental injustices. She said that if it were up to her, sustainability would be one of the key pillars to Howard’s next strategic plan, post-2024.

“We are the next generation of people to live this way, and [so are] our children, so [we need] to make sure that we make it clean and safe,” Campbell said. “Figure out how to change in your own community and how your [community] members can contribute to this. It’s going to impact you at some point, so whether you believe that or not, do the best thing for yourself and your loved ones.” g

5 A City-wide composting

5 (L-R) Second-year law student Morgan Taradash and Professor of Law, Dr. Carlton Waterhouse, joined Shalanda Baker, the director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity, to unpack the realities of energy and climate justice in a panel discussion at the Howard University School of Law on March 26. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

allows Howard to give back to the environment with an increase in greenery and plant life across campus. (Jada Ingleton/The Washington Informer)

The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) Celebrates Earth Day

By Sandra Mattavous-Frye, People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia, and Adam Carlesco, Assistant People’s Counsel

The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia (OPC) is pleased to contribute to The Washington Informer’s Sustainability Supplement in observance of Earth Day. As “Planet vs Plastics” is the theme of the 2024 observance of Earth Day, we welcome this opportunity to share some critical points and recommendations about plastics use.

Plastic waste presents a growing challenge to water utilities across the globe, and the District of Columbia is no exception. We here at the Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia, are deeply concerned about the harmful impacts of plastics on our water systems and their broader implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and economic equity. The pervasive presence of microplastics in our water sources and the physical damage to water infrastructure caused by larger plastics demand immediate attention and action.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters in size, have become abundant contaminants in waterbodies worldwide, including the Potomac River, from where the District’s drinking water is drawn. These particles originate from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items, microbeads in personal care products, and synthetic fibers from clothing. Once in the water supply, microplastics pose a significant challenge for water utilities tasked with providing safe, drinking water to the community. The process of treating water to remove these minuscule particles is both complex and costly, contributing to rising operational expenses for water utilities like DC Water. This, in turn, raises consumers’ water bills, with the burden of higher rates falling disproportionately on our most vulnerable residents.

In addition to littering our waterways, larger plastic items can cause physical damage to water infrastructure. Items such as plastic bags, bottles, and wrappers can clog pipes and pumps, leading to operational disruptions and requiring costly repairs and maintenance. The tangible im-

pact of such incidents not only hampers the efficiency of our water utilities but also contributes to increased utility costs that are ultimately borne by consumers.

The contamination of water sources by plastics also underscores the urgent need to reassess our reliance on bottled water – which is one of the top sources of plastic pollution. It’s a common misconception that bottled water is safer or of higher quality than tap water. Annual studies have consistently shown that the District’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state water quality standards. In fact, many water bottlers use municipal water for their bottled water. Moreover, beyond the environmental toll of single-use plastics production, buying bottled water perpetuates a cycle of unnecessary purchases for consumers and generates plastic pollution that will linger in our environment for centuries.

As we navigate these challenges, OPC emphasizes the need for a collective effort to mitigate the impact of plastic waste on our water utilities and environment. This includes advocating for policies and practices that reduce the production and use of single-use plastics, encouraging consumers to opt for reusable alternatives, and supporting research and innovation in water treatment technologies to effectively address microplastic contamination.

Furthermore, OPC advocates for increased local and federal investment in water infrastructure to enhance resilience against physical

damage caused by large plastic objects and to ensure the continued provision of safe yet affordable water services. This includes both local initiatives and broader national regulatory reforms to hold producers – not utility ratepayers – accountable for the environmental impacts of their

products and to promote sustainable consumption patterns among the public.

Ultimately, the threats to our water utilities posed by ever-growing plastic waste encompass a broader challenge that transcends getting safe and clean water to our communities. They

touch on the core principles of environmental stewardship, public health protection, and economic equity. OPC is committed to continuing to work alongside DC Water, community stakeholders, and policymakers to address these challenges head-on. Together, we can forge a path toward a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for all District residents while safeguarding our vital water resources from the pervasive threat of plastic pollution. g

5Arron Hare, 50, shares his experiences and insights on community engagement. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5Alma Williams, 36 shares her passion for cleaning that has spanned beyond the six years she’s been a CPDC Crew Member. Williams’ motivation for cleaning stems from a desire to make the community a better place for everyone. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

In celebration of Earth Day 2024, we salute the men and women of Career Path DC (CPDC) Clean and Safe Team and Golden Triangle Ambassadors for keeping D.C. neighborhoods clean and safe. Washington Informer photographers Ja’Mon Jackson and Robert Roberts introduce us to some of the team members who serve the neighborhoods of Bellevue, Anacostia, and Congress Heights in Southeast and downtown where they also provide hospitality and public assistance to residents and visitors.

5Six years ago, Tyronn Clark,35, started work with the Career Path DC Clean and Safe Team, motivated by a desire to make a positive impact. He has since engaged and inspired others by leading by example with the positive work he continues to do throughout the community. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5 CPDC Crew Member Kinta Reid, 30 collects litter in the Congress Heights residential neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

4 Richelle Walker, Golden Triangle Ambassador (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

3Christian Simms, 42, wants to give back to his community, with the opportunity given to him by Charlie L. Whitaker to join The Career Path DC Clean and Safe Team. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5Kadeem Cephas, Operation Manager. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

3Since joining the Career Path DC Clean and Safe Team three years ago, Keyonna Ashford, 27, has learned the importance of leading by example in her community, especially being a woman of color. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5 Marqui Gudger, 35 shares that his motivation for cleaning up his community started six years ago when he noticed the excess litter negatively impacting his neighborhood’s appearance. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5 Anthony Ricks, 56 shares his experience working with Career Path DC Clean and Safe Team for over the past seven years notices changes in the area, including a decrease in litter and an increase of sensitivity towards others in the community.

5 Donna Knight, 49, shares her motivation for cleaning up local spaces such as Bellevue, feeling a sense of pride and comfort in a cleaner environment. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

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What if you could fight climate change and save money at the same time?

Thanks to tax credits and rebates from President Biden's clean energy plan, you can.

In the driveway – Electric Vehicle Tax Credits: up to $4,000 on used purchases and up to $7,500 for a new purchase through the dealership.

At your thermostat – the typical household will save up to $220/year over the next decade thanks to more affordable and cleaner sources of electricity.

In the utility room – heat pump water heaters are eligible for a rebate up to $1,750 and upgraded breaker boxes may be eligible for a $4,000 rebate 1 2 3

In the kitchen – the Clean Energy Plan provides a rebate of up to $840 for households who purchase of an electric stove, cooktop, range or oven.

In the insulation – up to $1,600 for improving their insulation & sealing energy leaks + the savings better insulation will yield on utility bills.

In the laundry room – by purchasing an energy-efficient electric heat pump dryer will make households eligible for a rebate up to $840

At the AC unit – up to $2,000 in tax credits for an electric heat pump. For households with low incomes, rebates of up to $8,000 are available.

On the roof – the Residential Clean Energy Credit provides a tax credit of up to 30% to households that invest in clean energy such as solar.

At your water line – the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law brings $15 billion+ to states to remove all lead service lines in the next 10 years