DC Residents Protest Coal Burning at Sustainable DC Event

On Wednesday, February 20ieth, Mayor Vincent Gray released the Sustainable DC Plan.  This plan has been developed over the last 18 months through a participatory process that has involved citizens, businesses and local leaders across DC.  The plan puts forth sustainable actions for the environment, energy, food, nature, transportation, waste, and water to ensure that the District becomes the healthiest, greenest, most livable city in the nation over the next 20 years.

Local residents and activists took advantage of this event to voice their opposition to coal burning at the Capitol Power Plant.  As noted in this blog, the Architect of the Capitol is seeking permission to increase coal burning at the plant.  Increasing coal burning at the plant would decrease DC air quality, and fly in the face of the Mayor's much touted Sustainability Plan.  DC's Department of the Environment will make a decision on the AOC's proposal in the coming weeks. In the meantime, local citizens are continuing to voice opposition to coal burning at the plant.  If you would like a yardsign to post in your yard or window to mark your opposition to coal burning at the Capitol Power Plant, contact the DCRecycler.

Send Your PLS Do This! Send Your No More Coal Comments to DDOE by February 18!

The DC Department of Environment (DDOE) has extended the deadline for comments on the Architect of the Capitol's application that would allow for increased coal emissions from the Capitol Power Plant (CPP).  According to DDOE , comments must be received by 5pm Monday, February 18, 2013 and should be either (1) mailed or hand-delivered to DDOE, Air Quality Division, 1200 First Street, N.E., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002, Attention: Stephen S. Ours - Chief, Permitting, or (2) e-mailed to aoc.airpermits@dc.gov. According to the DDOE website comments "must include the person’s name, telephone number, affiliation, if any, mailing address and a statement outlining the air quality issues in dispute and any facts underscoring those air quality issues".

You can find a draft letter here:  https://secure.sierraclub.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=10325&autologin=true&s_src=313Z6300A1&JServSessionIdr004=d9j75yf112.app225a
Several articles on this topic have recently appeared in The Washington Post, Capitol Hill Corner, and WAMU, and his issue has gathered steam over the last couple of weeks with Eleanor Holmes Norton and Tommy Wells chiming in.  When coal is burned at the CPP residue falls out into Capitol Hill, but emissions from the plant reduce air quality across the entire DC metro region. Please send in your comments today!  You can also find more information on this topic at: http://www.dc.sierraclub.org/news/detail.asp?ID=325.

Recycling Paperbacks..and Magazines for a Cause: DC Books to Prison Project!

Wondering what to do with all those great books you have now that you’re reading off of your Kindle? The DC Books to Prisons Project may be your answer! The program provides free books to 150 prisons across the country and develops and supports local prison libraries. Most prisons do not accept hardback books, so paperbacks are preferred. Most needed non-fiction include dictionaries (English, Spanish-English), Spanish Textbooks, atlases and almanacs, drawing or art, science and alternative energy (including science magazines like Discover or Scientific American), how-to (especially woodworking, plumbing, car mechanics, small motor repair), GED preparation, farming and agriculture, personal finance or starting a business, American Indians, Mayans, or Aztecs and African American, Latin American, or classical (Roman,Greek) history. Popular fiction requests include westerns and urban or street lit.

Books can be dropped off on Wednesday evenings (6-9 PM) at Foundry United Methodist Church located at 1500 16th St NW, Washington DC, 20036. A core volunteer is usually there during and can arrange to have people carry the books for you while you stay with your car. If Wednesday evening is not possible, you can call the church at 202.332.4010.

Help Stop Coal Burning at the Capitol! Meeting Jan 24!

The Capitol Power Plant (CPP) continues to periodically burn coal though it has been outfitted to burn natural gas. While coal is a dirty fuel source, height restrictions of CPP stacks due to the plant's proximity to National Airport mean that even higher levels of residue fallout across the DC region - exacerbating asthma and other respiratory issues and flying in the face of DC’s Sustainability goals.

DC Council Member Tommy Wells is convening a meeting to discuss this issue see details below!  PLEASE ATTEND!! Yard signs will be available and small donations to this grass roots cause will be welcome!

See Tommy Wells’s letter for the meeting below:

+++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Capitol Hill residents and other interested community members :

The Architect of the Capitol’s recent permit application for changes to the Capitol Power Plant has been a source the great concern for many of us. I will be hosting a community meeting on Thursday, January 24, 2013, to hear your concerns and to discuss next steps. The District Department of the Environment will present background information about the Power Plant, after which I will moderate a discussion. The meeting will not be limited to concerns about the current permit application. I also want to discuss strategies for addressing broader concerns about the power plant, particularly the ongoing use of coal as a fuel source. See details below:

Community Meeting on the Capitol Power Plant

Thursday, January 24, 6:30pm to 8:00pm

United Methodist Church -- 421 Seward Square SE

I hope to see you there, however, if you are unable to attend, there will be more opportunities to get involved -- this will be an ongoing community discussion.

Tommy

Mayor Gray to Sign Sustainable DC Act!

DC Mayor Vincent Gray is set to sign the Sustainable DC Act of 2012 on Wednesday, January 16^th, 2013 at 10:00 am. The specific location is still being finalized.

The Sustainable DC Act will benefit the District in each of the three legs of sustainability: economy, equity, and environment. The legislation wil help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, urban agriculture, and will keep dangerous chemicals out of our rivers. Highlights of the Sustainability Act include: 

• Additional funding for two existing DC programs that are key for energy efficiency and renewable energy: the EnergyStar Benchmarking Program and the Renewable Energy Incentive Program;
• Reducing the use of fertilizers by increasing the buffer between fertilized areas and waterways to help clean our rivers and streams;
• Making it easier to keep bees, which is valuable for agriculture and gardens and providing educational opportunities; 
•  Separating the location of children-occupied facilities and drycleaners that use chemicals with dangerous health effects; and 
• Providing assistance to low-income and elderly households to access weatherization services and energy system retrofits to tune-up heating systems and hot water heaters.

Background on the Sustainable DC Act

In July 2011, Mayor Gray announced his intention to make DC the greenest, healthiest, and most livable city in the nation. Through the winter of 2011 and spring of 2012, a group of residents, local businesses and institutions, and local and federal government, developed a plan to make this vision a reality.  For more information on Sustainable DC check out: http://sustainable.dc.gov/

Recycle Your Holiday (and other occasion) Cards!

St. Jude's Ranch for Children will take your holiday ...or other occasion cards ..and make new ones out of them. You can also purchase upcycled cards from them.  Check out the program at http://www.stjudesranch.org/shop/recycled-card-program/  To mail in your used cards here are a few details:

• All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are accepted. 
• Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the backside of the front of the card is clear of any writing, etc.
• We can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards 
• 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred 
• To mail large quantities in the least expensive way, use the United States Post Office in a Flat Rate Box (available at the Post Office), which holds up to 70 pounds 

Mail donations to :
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street 
Boulder City, NV 89005

What do I do with my Christmas Tree?

According to DC DPW residents should place  trees on the curb/alley along with their normal waste and recycling beginning December 31st. Trees picked up between December 31st and January 12th will be chipped and composted.

Green Resolutions for 2013

While there's nothing most of us can do to keep us from going off the Fiscal Cliff, you can make some green resolutions for 2013.  You're most likely already recycling everything you can...so here are some ideas to take it to the next level.  

1) Sign up for Solar!  The DC City Council authorized $1.1Million for solar rebates for DC residents in 2013.  Check out DDOE's How To Guide for Solar Rebates and check out the DC Sun Website for updates on Solar Co-Ops and other solar energy promotions and events in the area. 
2) COMPOST!  Yes, you can!  I put my composter out in the alley years ago, and now many neighbors contribute to it.  OR, find a local community garden where you can drop your scraps off...or try out Compost Cab or FatWorm Compost.  Google it and dig a compost hole in your backyard.  Composting has cut my waste by more than 1/2. It's amazing to see how things decompose..especially when you integrate coffee grounds from your local coffee shop into the mix.  If you don't use the compost on your own yard, offer it up on Freecycle..and it will be gone in a heart beat!
3) Join the fight to stop coal burning at the Capitol Power Plant! Contact Jim Dougherty at jim.dougherty@sierraclub.org at the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club to learn how to get involved.
4) Reduce your plastic footprint.  Plastics are not environmentally friendly and can negatively impact the health of humans and wildlife.  Reduce your plastic footprint in 2013. Check out Beth Terry's entertaining book, Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too.
5) Buy Used!  Instead of buying new goods, reuse and repurpose.  Amazon's Sell Your Stuff will market your used books, Kindle etc on their website.  Check out the "used" option when buying! Glyde.com is a great place to buy or sell Apple or Kindle products as well as many video games.  Style.ly is a great marketplace for women's clothing while ThredUp is a great place to buy and sell kid's clothing. 

Most of all, get those blackeyed peas cooking!  Here's to 2013!

Green Gifts: Preserve Products

Support recycling...and reuse all those yogurt containers you've recycled through the years by giving Preserve Products to your favorite enviro geek. They make great stocking stuffers!  Preserve makes personal care (e.g. toothbrushes, razors, and blades), reusable tableware (plates, cups, cutlery) and kitchen goods (food storage, colanders, cutting boards) in a wide variety of cool colors. Locally, I find their products at Yes! Organic Market and Whole Foods.

• Preserve products are made from 100% recycled plastics and 100% post-consumer paper.
• Their plastic products are recyclable, either through our postage-paid labels and mailers (toothbrushes and razor handles) or at the curb in communities that recycle #5 plastic.
•  Products are made in the USA, 
• They don't test on animals. 
• Products are made to last—and to look cool!

Green Gifts: Bike Helmet Covers

Well, 'tis the season, so over the next weeks, I'll provide some green gift ideas.  Now that Mayor Gray has declared Uturns across bike lanes illegal (thank you!) and with the L St Cycle Track all coupled with really not so cold temps, it's a great time to outfit your cycle friends with some bike swag.  Helmet covers are a great idea as they help keep heads warm AND dry, and depending on the color, increase visibility. Sadly, I've not been able to find these covers at any local bike shops, so I bought mine on line.  I bought a "one-size-fits-all" model...and it worked on my helmet.  To boot, mine has reflector tape on the front..and a reflector tape loop on the back that I can attach an LED light to to further increase my visibility.  They come in a wide array of prices.  Mine cost some $12 and is made of durable and washable material.  Check 'em out!

Cleaning Green Part 3: Moisturizer/Lotion

It's winter, it's dry, and my skin starts to resemble something between fish scales and chicken skin. It's not pretty, and I have to use a moisturizer daily. For the last few years, I've been searching for an enivironmentally friendly moisturizer. I tried shea butter, but I just don't like the smell.  Then, a couple of months ago, I was at the DC Green Festival and I came across the Dr. Bronner's booth....and I think I've now found the solution. (ok, roll your eyes because I'm going to promote yet another Dr. Bronner's product to solve a problem).

Dr. Bronner now makes fair trade organic virgin coconut oil!  It's great as a cooking oil, but it's also a great moisturizer.  The oil absorbs into your skin quickly, so while it smells great as you apply it, you don't go around smelling like a coconut all day.  You really don't!  I bought a jar for about $11 at my local "Yes!". I think you can buy it at Wholefoods as well. To boot, it's sold in glass jars that helps me lower my plastic footprint.....and I'm not slathering a bunch of chemicals on my body everyday...just some natural and good smelling oil!  I really love this stuff...and it leaves my skin feeling very soft.  As it's hard to get my fingers into the jar, I just scooped out a few spoonfuls and packed it into plastic tub with a lid that I had.  I've also got a jar in the kitchen for cooking. Give it a try!....and stay tuned over the next weeks for my eco-friendly present ideas!

Cleaning Green Part 2: No Poo!

OK, I've done it! I'm a recent convert to the No Poo Shampoo Movement!  I read Beth Terry's book Plastic-Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too over the summer.  It was a quick and fun read, but it also made me consider how I could further reduce my plastic and chemical footprint. I'd heard of using baking soda and water as a shampoo, but I color my hair a couple of times a year and I was afraid to try it. Then, in the spirit of "nothing ventured, nothing gained, but more because my shampoo bottle was empty, I decided to give the No Poo method a try.  

My Hair Regimen: Baking Soda and Vinegar

You'll find all sorts of No Poo recipes on the web. I decided to keep it simple. I put a tablespoon of baking soda into an empty shampoo bottle, filled it up with water..and voilà. ! I squirt a 2 or so tablespoons of the mix on my hair and massage it into my scalp. The mixture doesn't foam up..which takes some getting used to..and honestly, as other folks will tell you, there is a transition phase of 2-3 weeks while your hair remembers how to make its own (natural) oils (since its forgotten how to do this since you've been putting chemical shampoos on it for all these years!)  My hair became very dry.  Once I started using a vinegar and water rinse, things improved quickly (I mix a 3 tablespoons of vinegar to 2 cups of water, but you don't have to be exact and the vinegar smell doesn't stay in your hair). If you miss that "after shampoo" smell, add a couple of drops of jasmine or lavender essence to the vinegar rinse. (No Poo leaves your hair clean, but with no smell).

Now, my hair feels great and looks like it did when I used regular shampoo...but I'm not putting  all those chemicals on my scalp or down the drain. I'm also reducing my plastic footprint by not buying more plastic bottles of shampoo and conditioner. I travel for work, so I pack a small amount of baking soda in my my luggage so I can make a No Poo mix at my destination (and have downsized the liquids I travel with in the process). I'm a fan!

Cleaning Green Part 1: Soap!

At the DC GreenFest a couple of weeks ago, I came across the Dr. Bronner's booth. A long time favorite, that is both FairTrade and USDA Certified Organic, Dr. Bronner's is still out there. I buy their soap in a gallon size jug that I store under my sink. The soap is uber-duber concentrated, so I've long diluted it to wash my dishes and for my hand washing needs on the road or at home.  The soaps come in a variety of flavors. Dr. Bronner's soaps are:

• Completely biodegradable and vegetable-based; 
• Made with Certified Fair Trade and Organic Oils; 
• Multi-Purpose: 18-in-1 Uses; 
• Use no synthetic foaming agents, thickeners or preservatives; and
• arepackaged in 100% Post-Consume Recycled Bottles and Paper Labels

What's not to love!

Who Ya Gunna Vote For? - Voting Green in DC's 2012 Election

If you're like me, you can't wait until the election is over.  The ads are enough to drive anyone nuts, and in the District, we're not even a swing state. 

But, do you know where to vote?
Do you know all of the offices that are up for election in your Ward?
Have you thought about who you are going to vote for?
 To find your polling place, go to http://www.dcboee.org/voter_info/find_pollingplace/

The DC Board of Elections prints a handy-dandy and easy to read Voter's Guide.  You should have received a copy in the mail...and this year they were sent out well before the election! (I've received my guide the day or two after the election too many times).  This guide is a great resource and includes information on early voting places and times, absentee voting, accessibility for disabled residents, as well as a list of candidates up for election by position and Ward.

What Offices are Up for Election?
In addition to President and DC Representative, as a DC resident you'll also be able to vote for DC City Council Chair, two At-Large City Council positions, two US "Shadow" Senators and an At-Large Member of the State Board of Education.  In addition, residents of Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8 will be voting for DC Council candidates and State Board of Education candidates.  There are also a host of Area Neighborhood Commission (ANC) elections. Knowing your ANC candidate is the best way to ensure that your voice is heard in DC government!

Who Are the Environmental Candidates?
I've long looked to the Sierra Club for their endorsements for environmentally-minded candidates.  For this election, they've endorsed Phil Mendelson for DC City Council Chair and David Grosso and Ann Wilcox for the At-Large positions.  They've also endorsed some Ward Council candidates.  For a full list, check out http://www.dc.sierraclub.org/news/detail.asp?ID=320.

The Sierra Club also published a Nation-wide Voter's Guide, though (sadly) DC is not included.  Still this may be a good resource for some of your friends, so spread the word!

Most importantly VOTE..and tell your friends to vote, too!

The DC SEU - Helping DC Go Green

Yoohooo out there….you may have stopped by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (the DC SEU) at the DC GreenFest.  They just received a $17M budget for FY13 to help households, businesses, and institutions save energy and money through energy efficiency and renewable energy programs! Shouldn’t you get a piece of this green action?  Their website is a bit clunky, but it’s worth taking a good look as it can save you money as you go greener!  Here are just a couple of their programs:

The DC Home Performance Program offers a $500 to households that successfully complete a qualifying home energy upgrade (think new molding around doors/windows, caulking or maybe new windows) of at least $1500.  Meanwhile, lower income households can qualify for a 5 year forgivable loan through the DC SEU’s Federal Home Loan Bank Program.  If you live in a condo, let the Condo Association know that the DC SEU, provides rebates for lighting upgrades and water-saving devices at no cost for installation to owners, property managers, or residents.

Wanna buy an energy saving CFL for the same price as a regular light bulb? The DC SEU has partnered with local businesses such as Home Depot, Safeway and Frager’s Hardware on Capitol Hill to do just this! For a list of all District retailers participating in this program, check out.

The DC SEU also has several programs for businesses. They’re helping DC building owners comply with a mandate to benchmark their energy efficiency by 2014.. and determine effective improvements that can save money – and energy. They offer several other programs for businesses including reduced up-front costs to businesses that upgrade to new energy-efficient technologies/ equipment. And, did you know that fluorescent tube lighting was banned for manufacturing by federal mandate on July 14, 2012? Ben’s Chili Bowl was a recent recipient of the DC SEU program that replaces fluorescent tube lighting with more efficient High-Performance T8 (HPT8) lighting at no cost.

 Created by the DC City Council as part of the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008, the DC SEU is overseen by the District Department of the Environment (DDOE).  For more information on the DC SEU’s Programs, contact them at info@DCSEU.com or 202-479-2222. They’re great folks!

I Heart My Tiffin

On a recent foray to Whole Foods, I spied a stainless steel tiffin.  Tiffins, also known as dabbas or bentos, are stackable lunch kits. At less than $20, I bought it on a whim - and - after a week of road testing, I'm glad I did! Why?

• It gets me even farther away from plastic (I've been taking my lunch to work in glass Pyrex containers with plastic lids (that tend to leak in my backpack- eeewww!);
• though it's ended up upside down in my backpack with food that included liquid, it did not leak (yay!);
• the buckle mechanism is cool and makes a nice "clunk" noise when engaged;
• it's a great conversation piece at work;
• it encourages me to bring my own lunch;
• it will be a practical way to carry food to potlucks with out risking spilling food on my the floorboard of my car (which has happened too many times); and
• it can double as a drum in a pinch.

While I can't use it in a microwave, I usually put my food on a plate before microwaving to get a better distribution of heat anyway. 

Tiffins originate from India and Japan - but many other cultures likely figured this concept as well. There's a whole history of the evolution of tiffins here!  While mine is two tiered, it functions just fine using only one of the tiers.  There are MANY options out there...check on line...but also check in your local kitchen store! 

More Summer Reading: How Bad Are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything

I liked this book as it put CO2 emissions in terms that translate to my life...and makes me think about things from a new perspective.  Sure, I know that biking is better than driving my car..but the author (Mike Benner-Lee) points out that if I'm powering by bike ride by eating air freighted produce, my carbon footprint for my bike ride increases. Darn! Another argument for buying local!  The average American has a 28 ton annual carbon footprint.  This book advocates ..but doesn't preach for a 10 ton diet..and provides ideas for how to get there.  It's a fun and easy read that will give you lots...I mean tons of fact fodder for your next fete.  Enjoy!

Summer Reading for the Recycler: "Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can, Too"

One of the blogs I followed it Beth Terry's "Plastic Free Life". It's a great blog, that is informative, humorous, and practical.  Beth explains in lay terms (well, as "lay" as you can get when you start talking about plastic chemical compounds) about why and how we should get plastic out of our lives - for health as well as environmental reasons.  She's now written a book - "Plastic Free" which puts all this logic into a pleasantly readable and compelling format that's fun and informative to read.  You can even order it in plastic-free packaging, or download it onto your e-reader.  Beth realizes that while it's impossible to rid your life of plastic, you can makes some changes that will reduce your consumption, and your carbon foot print.  I found I already do many of the things she suggests (clean with baking soda and vinegar and make my own yogurt and hummus), but she's given me some sources for some products that I currently buy in plastic ..and some ideas for some products that I can easily make myself. Rumor has it that she'll be coming to DC for some speaking events this fall.  Stay tuned!

Pictures from Saturday's AntiFracking Rally !

Beat the Heat: Cover the Skylight

I love the solar tubes that I have in my house....but as I've tried to keep my electricity bill under control this summer, I have noticed how much heat they bring into my house. To reduce the heat, I'm covering them with some paper or cloth.  This will allow some light to still come in.  You can buy shades designed to cover skylights.  OR..why not cover it with a favor piece of material or work of art...or even wrapping paper. It will give your ceiling a new look...and give your electricity bill some welcome relief!