As the region experiences unusually dry conditions that are expected to persist despite recent rainfall, a Drought Watch was implemented today by the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). Residents and businesses in the metropolitan Washington region are being asked to take voluntary measures to conserve water and help reduce demand on the region’s water supply systems. The regional drought watch applies to nearly six million residents across metropolitan Washington.
See the full story at the MWCOG Newsroom.
More DMV News
How Maryland’s First Offshore Wind Farm Could Affect the Environment
Baltimore Banner
The project that could become Maryland’s first offshore wind farm would have few “major” environmental impacts, according to an impact statement made available this week.
Fairfax Plans To Regulate Data Centers Amid Concerns About Industry’s Growth
Washington Post
With the data center industry continuing to expand throughout Virginia, the state’s largest local government is working to adopt policies meant to avoid problems with noise, the buildings’ proximity to homes and the power lines providing electricity to them that have afflicted other communities.
A 2.2 GW Maryland Offshore Wind Farm Just Took a Big Leap Forward
Electrek
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) today released US Wind’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), clearing another hurdle for the project’s developers, Italy’s renewable energy developer Renexia, to build up to 114 turbines totaling 2,200 megawatts (MW) capacity, enough to power 770,000 homes with clean energy.
National Housing Trust and Children’s Law Center Awarded $20M From EPA for Community Change
WUSA9
Through the initiative, the organizations will retrofit 785 homes within affordable multifamily buildings in Washington, D.C. to improve air quality, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce energy costs for residents. This project will also provide jobs among contractors in the area qualified to work on projects of this magnitude.
National and International News
The Climate Law is Helping Bring Solar to More Apartment Buildings
Canary Media
The tax-credit transfer markets created by the Inflation Reduction Act are boosting clean energy in tough-to-crack markets — like rooftop solar on multifamily housing.
4 Hottest Days Ever Observed Raise Fears of a Planet Nearing ‘Tipping Points’
Washington Post
As global temperatures spiked to their highest levels in recorded history on Monday, ambulances were screaming through the streets of Tokyo, carrying scores of people who had collapsed amid an unrelenting heat wave. A monster typhoon was emerging from the scorching waters of the Pacific Ocean, which were several degrees warmer than normal. Thousands of vacationers fled the idyllic mountain town of Jasper, Canada, ahead of a fast-moving wall of wildfire flames.
US Cities Sharpen Focus on Building Performance Standards to Meet Net-Zero Goals
Utility Dive
State and local governments are turning to building performance standards, or BPS, as a key measure to cut emissions and meet climate targets, according to a report from JLL released last week.
Monster Wave Of Marine Energy About To Hit US Shores
CleanTechnica
Harnessing the infinite power of ocean waves and tides has been a long, slow slog, but the waiting could be over. Democratic members of the House of Representatives have come up with a $1 billion scheme to launch the US marine energy industry into the big leagues and take its rightful place alongside the wind and solar juggernauts pushing the renewable energy industry.
More Americans Are Moving Into Flood and Fire Hot Spots
Washington Post
More than 300,000 Americans moved to flood or fire-prone counties last year, according to data from the real estate company Redfin.