Adam Clampitt on the Environment
A Model for Our Country
The District can be a model of policy innovation in a number of ways.
This is especially true when it comes to our environment. Decades of failed
policies have left us with lead paint still in buildings, polluted rivers and
unacceptable levels for carbon emissions. The result is a neglected ecosystem
that contributes to the health risks of District residents. With your support I
will push an aggressive package of environmental policies on the DC Council that
will make our city a model of environmental policy innovation. By partnering
with the other governments of the Potomac region and the Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments, we can advance environmental stewardship for the entire
region. Together we can make Washington one of America’s greenest cities.
The Clampitt Plan
Reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050 and become a hub for green industry
With great challenges come great opportunities. Climate change is no exception.
Reducing carbon emissions to reverse global warming will require changes at all
levels from government policies to individual choices. Trillions of dollars
will be spent and made as the U.S. and the world change how we generate and
use energy. DC should act now to become a hub of this new industry.
Environmentally friendly policies will grow our economy
DC can promote green businesses through tax incentives and public-private
partnerships. New green-collar jobs will require people with a wide range of
skills. DC public schools can help grow and train these workers both through
college-tracks and through the creation of vocational programs teaching the
technical skills for building, installing and maintaining renewable-resource
power systems.
Our city will thrive with clean, renewable energy
DC should commit to a goal of 10,000 solar and wind-power systems by 2020.
The District can drive the market for renewable-resource power
systems. Tax-incentives and the removal of legislative and regulatory obstacles
will encourage homeowners and building owners to make the most cost-effective
choices – environmentally friendly, renewable energy. We have already seen
tremendous benefits from an existing pilot program but this must be expanded,
made permanent and promoted. Pepco should receive structural incentives to
promote co-generation in DC and be prohibited from building more coal, oil,
or natural-gas-burning power plants. Pepco’s renewable-energy portfolio
should be increased to 25% by 2020, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2040.
Make government carbon-neutral
Our government can become carbon neutral through simple, yet effective,
measures that will save tax-payer money while promoting a model of sustainability.
On the Council, I will push for a package that requires the government to
generate carbon-free power, buy only carbon-free power and offset other carbon
emissions through aggressive tree planting. In addition, DC government should
quickly implement simple measures such as using compact fluorescent light bulbs
instead of higher consuming incandescent bulbs, consuming energy only when
needed during work hours by installing light motion sensors for stairwells and
certain rooms and turning off computers and other office equipment after work,
and replace all traffic signs with energy-efficient LED displays.
The DC government must also commit to buying only hybrid or low emission
vehicles unless there is no commercially available option. DC government-owned
buildings should all have solar and/or wind power systems installed.
Establish tree canopy goals
The District should have a 25% tree canopy in urban residential areas
and 15% tree canopy in the central business district. Trees not only soak up
carbon-dioxide and generate oxygen, but they also provide shade, soak up water
run-off, prevent erosion and beautify the city.
Reduce transportation-based carbon emissions
Moving more people onto public transportation and into cleaner cars will
significantly reduce DC’s carbon emissions and other pollutants. A
three-tiered approach will ensure that public transit becomes more pervasive
and a more preferred option. First, we must accelerate development of the
proposed street-car system. Street-cars would significantly increase the
number of neighborhoods that are walkable and accessible. Second, Metro must
have a stable funding source in order to expand the system and keep prices
low. Dedicating part of the existing gas-tax to Metro in all three jurisdictions
would allow Metro to operate with a reliable budget year-to-year. Finally,
new taxi-cabs should be required to be hybrid or ultra-low emission vehicles.
This was successfully accomplished in New York City. Low-emission and no-emission
cars sold in the District should receive title and sales-tax discounts.
Keep the Anacostia and Potomac rivers clean
Litter and sewage run-off are polluting our rivers, endangering the health of
District residents and damaging our environment. We can eliminate this threat
and build a more sustainable, beautiful resource for all to enjoy. From the
Metro to downtown DC, the District is known for its passion of cleanliness.
Building off of this proud tradition we can remind ourselves of the simple
actions needed to keep our rivers clean.
Providing public recycling bins on sidewalks instead of only mixed-trash
and stenciling storm drains with reminders about the effects of litter will
help to reinforce a proud District tradition. Moreover, the District should
examine prohibiting petroleum based plastic grocery bags and replace them
with bio-degradable alternatives. The District should adopt restrictions on
the dangerously high amounts of phosphorus in dishwasher detergents.
Great Streets are Green Streets
District government can also play a larger role by incorporating sustainable
techniques into its constant work to maintain our roadways. Namely, DC should
adopt permeable materials for pavements, sidewalks and alleys when making
repairs. By allowing water to seep into the ground, instead of run into storm
drains, we can significantly reduce run-off and reduce the amount of waste and
pollution reaching the rivers. Similar methods can be implemented at home,
by encouraging home and building owners with tax incentives to create green
roofs that hold rain water, avoid run-off, help build a green canopy and lower
energy costs.
