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Energy and Sustainability in the District of Columbia. Theodore Trabue ttrabue@dcseu.com June 25, 2018. US Electricity Markets Today. More than 3,273 traditional electric utilities responsible for consumers in their service territories
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Energy and Sustainability in the District of Columbia Theodore Trabue ttrabue@dcseu.com June 25, 2018
US Electricity Markets Today More than 3,273 traditional electric utilities responsible for consumers in their service territories State public service commissions have jurisdiction primarily over the large, vertically integrated, investor-owned electric utilities that own more than 38% of domestic generating capacity and serve about 71% of consumers Power marketers buy and sell electricity, but usually do not own or operate generation, transmission, or distribution facilities Utilities regulated by local, state, and federal authorities Interstate sales of electricity on wholesale market by public utilities, investor-owned utilities, power marketers, independent power producers, and non-exempt electric cooperatives are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Energy History: District of Columbia Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) created in the late 19th century by a street car company to provide power for the street cars Legislation in 1935 forced divestiture of street car company creating utility serving DC, Montgomery and PG County Generation from coal and oil leading to extreme air pollution in 1970s and 1980s
Customer Choice Since 2001 73% of electricity consumed by commercial sector, only 22.5% residential Pepco remains default option More than 6/16 providers offer 50% green energy or more 16% of residential and 85% of commercial customers have opted for a competitive supplier
Energy Challenges Today • Ambitious Climate Goals bound to Paris Agreement • Population Growth • Dirty Fuel Mix with RPS
Proposed Solutions • Multiple legislative efforts pending • Redistributive Carbon Tax • Distributed Energy Resource Authority • 100% Renewable Portfolio Standard by 2050 • But what about the DCSEU?
What Is the Sustainable Energy Utility? Clean & Affordable Energy Act (2008) Ratepayer-funded, privately operated Performance-based contract to DOEE Designed to help District households, businesses, and institutions save energy and money through energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
DCSEUGoals Electricity Savings Gas Savings Local EconomicDevelopment Green Jobs Low-Income Spending/Savings Renewables
Examples of Projects • Canadian Embassy • Swapped more than 3,800 lightbulbs from old incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs • The project will save more than $600,000 lifetime energy cost and prevent the emission of more than 4,000 tons of carbon • Capital Solar Challenge • Initiated by President Obama in 2014, completed with DCSEU in 2017 • Solar on seven federal government buildings
How it works: Large Buildings • Walkthrough at the building • Analysis and Assessment • Incentive Agreement • Project Implementation • Final Evaluation • Receive Incentive
How it works: Residential Rebates Lighting (instant rebates at DC retailers) Washers Dryers Refrigerators Dehumidifiers Furnaces / Boilers Water heaters Central Air Conditioning