The City of Alexandria has achieved Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) Gold certification, through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Cities rating system. Alexandria is the first city in Virginia to certify under the new v4.1 rating system, joining nearly 30 cities nationwide.
See the full news release at The City of Alexandria.
More DMV News
It’s Not That Easy Being a Green Bank in Maryland — But It’s Getting Easier
Maryland Matters
For the past dozen years, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) has been introducing legislation in Congress to create a national green bank — a mechanism to provide some level of government support for the private sector to develop clean energy projects as the climate crisis worsens. But the legislation is stalled for now and possibly for the foreseeable future.
DOE Awards $3.6 Million to Promote Equity and Diversity in Clean Energy Innovation
Energy.gov
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded $3.6 million to 18 groups and organizations through the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize — a first-of-its-kind competition designed to support entrepreneurship and innovation in communities historically underserved in federal climate and energy technology funding. Two winners are in the metropolitan Washington region.
A City Fights Back Against Heavyweight Cars
Bloomberg
Oversized pickups and SUVs are exacting a deadly toll on urban streets. There is a limited arsenal of tools available to discourage residents from operating these behemoths on local streets. A proposal from the District of Columbia would add a new one.
Nuclear Will Be Major for Virginia’s Electric Grid as Utilities Decarbonize, Regulator Says
Virginia Mercury
Dominion Energy’s two existing nuclear plants “may become more important to the transmission system” as Virginia and the utility move to decarbonize the power grid by midcentury, a hearing examiner with the Virginia State Corporation Commission says.
National and International News
Clean Energy Faces its Latest Test: Rising Interest Rates
E&E News
Clean energy has managed to grow during a global pandemic, a hostile presidential administration, and fierce competition from fossil fuels. Now, it faces the prospect of battling rising interest rates and a potential recession.
Norway Wants People to Park Their EVs and Ride the Bus
The Drive
Norway has been incredibly successful at introducing electric vehicles. In 2021, nearly two-thirds of all new vehicle purchases there were EVs, and combustion sales there are set to end just three years from now in 2025. But there’s a new problem for the Scandinavian nation: it needs people to stop driving their EVs so much and get on buses and trains.
Biden’s Pick for the EPA’s Top Air Pollution Job Finds Himself Caught in the Crossfire
Inside Climate News
At his confirmation hearing, Joseph Goffman was assailed by coal state Republicans for contemplating too much regulation, while Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse chastised him and his agency colleagues for doing too little.
G-7 Pledges Put Coal on Notice, Could Boost Climate Aid
AP News
Officials from the Group of Seven wealthy nations announced Friday that they will aim to largely end greenhouse gas emissions from their power sectors by 2035, making it highly unlikely that those countries will burn coal for electricity beyond that date.
Forecasters Tap High-Tech Tools as US Warns of Another Unusually Active Hurricane Season
Inside Climate News
Predictions of hurricane paths have improved markedly, but their intensity remains difficult to forecast. Air and water drones could change that.