What is happening
On December 20 the D.C. Council passed legislation that will keep solar affordable and make it easier for more families to access the benefits of harnessing the power of the sun. The Local Solar Expansion Act of 2022 sponsored by Councilmember Mary Cheh. This bill ensures that rooftop solar and community solar will continue to grow in the District.
Additional benefits of this policy include:
- Increases its commitment to use local solar to power 15% of the District by 2041
- Strengthens the value of solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) and stabilizes the marketplace where these credits are sold
- Help more families access the benefits of solar by ensuring funding for the Solar for All program that provides education and financial assistance to low income households
- Includes a phase-down approach for Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP) that addresses concerns about cost-burdens on rate-payers.
Timeline of Progress
12/20/22: D.C. Council second reading and final vote on Bill 24-950. Council voted 12 to 1 to support the bill, so it passed!
12/6/22 – D.C. Council first reading and vote on the bill. Council voted 10 to 1 to support the bill.
12/1/22 – Transportation & Environment Committee report on the bill: includes the updated bill language, in-depth discussion of why the bill is needed, summary of testimony from the bill hearing, and more.
Factsheets:
What you can do
Send a thank you message to D.C. Council members for their support of the Local Solar Expansion Amendment Act.
