Mayor Bowser Announces Green Financing Deal with D.C. United
30 June 2017 - 2:18AM
Today, Mayor Bowser and D.C. United announced a $25 million private
clean energy financing deal for the installation of
state-of-the-art energy and water efficiency measures, an 884 KW
solar array, and stormwater retention systems at D.C. United’s
20,000-seat Audi Field soccer stadium. The measures are being
funded through the Department of Energy and Environment’s Property
Assessed Clean Energy (DC PACE) program, DC’s innovative green
financing solution, which operates through a public-private
partnership, allowing local lenders to fund environmentally
beneficial projects at no cost to taxpayers. This deal, done
through a relationship with locally-based EagleBank, marks the
nation’s largest single PACE note issued to date, and the first
issued for a stadium project.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5409924-1333-4fc9-88ba-3dba33bfd926
“We know that cities throughout the U.S. will be leading
the fight against climate change, and this deal is an example of
how Washington, DC can think globally while acting
locally,” said Mayor Bowser who recently signed an
executive order committing DC to meet the goals of the Paris
Climate Accord. “This deal will not only allow us to green
Audi Field, it will also create new opportunities for local
businesses and high-quality green jobs for DC
residents.”
The hallmark of the deal is the planned installation of 884KW of
building-integrated solar panels installed on the stadium’s canopy
and throughout the site. This system, to be developed by DC-based
New Columbia Solar, will provide roughly one million kilowatt hours
of solar power annually, enough to offset almost a third of the
stadium’s projected electricity usage. PACE will also fund
high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, LED field lighting,
additional building insulation, low-flow water fixtures, a green
roof, and stormwater management measures that meet the District’s
highest standards for protecting the Anacostia River. In total, the
stadium’s PACE-funded measures will result in a 25 percent
reduction in energy use and will reduce emissions by 820 metric
tons of CO2 annually – roughly equivalent to taking 173 cars off
the road. These reductions are critical components of Washington,
DC’s ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable DC and Clean Energy
DC goals, which call for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50
percent, increasing the use of renewable energy to 50 percent of
the District’s energy supply, and reducing energy use by 50 percent
by 2032. In addition, through green roofs, bioretention
areas, and infiltration basins, the site will provide storage for
more than 55,000 cubic feet of stormwater onsite.
“D.C. United are committed to building an environmentally
responsible stadium, in addition to providing a world class soccer
venue,” Jason Levien, United managing general partner, said. “DC
PACE financing is allowing this project to achieve LEED Gold
certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
and to save about $125,000 annually on utility bills through LED
lighting on the field and a host of other green measures throughout
the site. As the first stadium to use PACE financing, we
are excited to make Audi Field a national leader in environmental
performance and green community benefits.”
“The solar energy and green features of Audi Field prove what’s
smart for the environment can be good for local business, too,”
said Bracken Hendricks, CEO of Urban Ingenuity, Program
Administrator for DC PACE. “With this project, D.C. United,
EagleBank, DOEE, and New Columbia Solar demonstrate how green
measures save money, boost local economic development, and create
good green jobs for District workers, all without costing DC
government a cent. These voluntary measures create community
benefits on day one, and are repaid through savings over time. This
project is good government and good for the planet, pure and
simple.”
Since taking office, Mayor Bowser has made clear her commitment
to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing access to clean
energy in all eight wards. In less than two years, the DC PACE
program has grown exponentially, resulting in a total of $30
million in private capital for projects across multiple sectors in
the city including small businesses, affordable multifamily
housing, a charter school, and a community-based Ward 8 nonprofit.
To date, PACE investments across seven projects are resulting in a
total reduction of 1,533 metric tons of CO2 annually.
More information about DC PACE and the Audi Field Project
Overview can be found on dcpace.com.
Social MediaMayor Bowser Twitter:
@MayorBowserMayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_BowserMayor Bowser
Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowserMayor Bowser
Website: mayor.dc.gov
CONTACT:
LaToya Foster (EOM) – (202) 727-5011; latoya.foster@dc.gov
Julia Robey Christian (DOEE) – (202) 741-0842; julia.christian@dc.gov
Lindsay Simpson (D.C. United) – (770) 713-5377; lsimpson@dcunited.com
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