The City Council honored the DC Sustainable Energy Utility today for its work helping D.C. residents, businesses and institutions reduce their energy costs and carbon footprints.

The DC Sustainable Energy Utility represents a partnership of local organizations, some with national experience, that sells energy efficiency and related conservation and energy retrofit services.

In its second full year of existence, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility operates under a contract with the D.C. Department of Environment, the city’s lead environmental agency.

Today’s recognition follows a ceremonial resolution approved last month. The resolution was written and introduced by Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At-Large).

Other cities and states have created sustainable energy utilities. These entities focus on providing energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions instead of selling electricity or natural gas, which is the function of traditional utility companies.

But unlike other sustainable energy utilities, the D.C. enterprise has a mandate to make renewable energy and energy efficiency accessible to low-income residents and to increase green jobs. 

The tenants living at the Bass Circle Apartments in Southeast, D.C. understand what a sustainable energy utility does. Now, each unit in the building has a programmable thermostat, an ENERGY STAR refrigerator, and lighting, heating and water improvements that help tenants save money. The project is one of many joint partnerships involving the DC Sustainable Energy Utility.

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