Reason for Award: The Clean Energy DC Plan recommends the District provide a Sustainability Award for climate and energy solutions leadership to a person or organization in the District who has done the most to reduce fossil fuel use. The award will recognize the accomplishments of a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to helping the city achieve its energy and carbon reduction goals.

Award summary: The award recognizes a person or organization that has executed an energy-related project(s) that demonstrates a new and innovative technology, strategy or model; and/or, has significant replication potential. The project should result in measurable energy/fuel savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to business as usual. The project should fall within one of the four sectors covered by the CEDC Plan:

- High-performance buildings (new and existing; residential and commercial)
- Clean transportation
- Clean and renewable energy supply
- Electric grid and energy system modernization.

For more information on the plan, visit doee.dc.gov/cleanenergydc.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Lynn Wilhere, Urban Sustainability Administration, DOEE, at SustainableBusinessRegistry@dc.gov

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* 1. Name

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* 2. Title

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* 3. Business/Organization

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* 4. Website

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* 5. Contact Information

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* 6. In what Ward of the District are you located?
Don't know? Check here.

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* 7. Annual Budget

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* 8. Number of Employees (or full-time employee equivalent)

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* 9. Number of Volunteers (if any)

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* 10. Is your organization in compliance with all environmental laws?
In order to be eligible, you must be in compliance with all District of Columbia environmental regulations.

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* 11. I agree to a site visit.
All winners receive site visits to record a personalized promotional video and confirm your described activities.

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* 12. Briefly describe your Business/Organization. (Optional but encouraged).

This description will help judges understand the broader context of your sustainability work, but is not scored as part of your application.

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* 13. Provide a summary of what your Business/Organization has done to support the goals of the Clean Energy DC Plan, including the project or initiative that you wish to highlight. (20 points)

Consider ways you empower, engage, and connect with your community stakeholders.

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* 14. Describe how the project or initiative demonstrates a new or underutilized technology/strategy/model and the replicability of the project?   (50 points)

To meet the GHG reduction goals of the District, new strategies will have to be deployed, such as building and transportation electrification, developing new financing models, adopting new or underused technologies, and finding ways to engage more residents and businesses.  Please describe the innovative aspects of your project, including the technical elements, and the potential for the project to be replicated at scale.  Also please describe the GHG/energy reductions associated with the project.

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* 15. Describe the ways in which this project or initiative impacts the community, such as its effects on economic development and inequality in the District. (30 points)

Racial equity is a core tenant of the Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan and Clean Energy DC Plan. Communities of color are more prone to experience deep and persistent gaps in income, health, and employment. While the Districts prosperity is growing, the benefits have not been widely shared by all residents. Less affluent areas often experience more crime, higher mortality rates, lower income, and fewer amenities. Consider ways that your operations and work address these inequities.    For example, applicants might consider things such as: does the project support affordable housing, will it create new job opportunities for underserved residents, or is it expected to improve the health and safety of vulnerable communities? 

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* 16. Describe any creative strategies that your team has used to fund your project. (Up to 20 Bonus points)

How have you funded your sustainability initiatives? Bonus points will be given to organizations that have built creative partnerships and done more good with less money.

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