QUICK UPDATE:
Last Tuesday, in the middle of the holiday, over 65 climate activists, and others, engaged Chairman Phil Mendelson in a discussion on climate policy.
The emphasis of most of the participants was to share a clear and focused defense of our view that the DC Council has an opportunity to make the development and implementation of climate crisis policy more effective, and more just and equitable, by moving the oversight of the Public Service Commission (PSC) from the Committee on Business and Economic Development to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment.
Local energy and utility experts, some who frequently engage the Public Service Commision, presented our fundamental rationale for this adjustment to the Chair, including (partial):
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Nina Dodge, D.C. Climate Action
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John Macgregor, DC Climate Action
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Cliff Majersik, Institute for Market Transformation
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Andrea Crooms, We Power DC
With a tight schedule, the Chairman graciously gave us extra time allowing others to share their views. Arguably we could have spent half a day on this important topic.
The DC Environmental Network is very proud that a large number of leaders in our climate movement showed up and let the Chairman know we care.
Our efforts on this issue continue to be an uphill battle but DCEN believes we made a statement on Tuesday that should help us with our climate advocacy in 2021.