Defend BEPS at DOEE Budget Hearing!
What do we need from YOU?
We are asking you to help NOW to help persuade the Mayor and Council to implement the BEPS program this year. The Mayor’s FY2024 Budget proposes delaying the program implementation by 3 years—on top of the 1-year delay that occurred during the pandemic. Almost $33 million in federal funds for implementation of this program are proposed to be allocated to other programs, thus causing the delay. As a Nature Forward supporter, we are asking you to immediately contact your Councilmember and the Mayor to request that this program continue to be funded and implemented in FY2024.
What is BEPS?
BEPS is the DC Building Energy Performance Standards. Owners of large private buildings as well as District-owned buildings must make their buildings more energy efficient to meet the standards. Existing buildings that are less efficient than other buildings of their type must make them more energy efficient. The BEPS are a minimum threshold of energy performance for existing buildings that will be no lower than the local median ENERGY STAR score by property type. The Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) Program was set forth in Title III of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018. The BEPS was created to help meet the energy and climate goals of the Sustainable DC plan— to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The goals of the plan are:
- 50% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2032
- 50% reduction in District-wide energy use by 2032
- 100% renewable electricity in the District by 2032
Why is BEPS important?
The District of Columbia was the first of 10 states and localities across the nation to adopt a building energy performance standard (aka a BEPS). Buildings account for more than 70% of DC’s GHG emissions. BEPS is the central pillar of DC’s and the Mayor’s strategy to achieve our climate commitments, which are spelled out in law.
What does this delay mean?
A delay would mean that the District may not meet their target goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, they would not meet the goals that are spelled out in law! Reducing emissions in DC cannot wait. The District’s low-income communities and communities of color— frontline communities—are suffering the worst impacts of climate change, and those disproportionate impacts will continue unless the Councilmembers and Mayor act now.