As energy costs spike, advocates say restored funding falls $10 million short and urge stronger community protections and sustainability for upcoming RFK redevelopment

WASHINGTON, DC — In a small victory for DC residents and climate advocates, the DC Council voted today to restore $7.6 million to the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF). Yet faith and consumer advocates say that this move falls far short of what’s needed to make energy affordable for all. While the modest restoration staves off some immediate damage to critical clean energy and affordability programs, advocates warn it’s a fraction of the $18 million required to match federal funding available to help meet the needs of many District families grappling with soaring utility bills and facing potential rate hikes.  

Throughout this year’s budget process, industry lobbyists and the Mayor’s office exerted extraordinary pressure to slash investments and roll back the District’s climate standards. Only after vigorous community mobilization did the Council take action to protect the bare minimum—restoring partial SETF dollars. In addition to restoring funding for energy upgrades, the Council also rejected last-minute attempts to rollback key climate laws, including the Greener Government Buildings Act and DC’s Building Energy Performance Standards, which remain a cornerstone of the city’s net-zero commitments.

“We came into this budget process deeply concerned about proposed cuts to core programs that support affordable energy and clean air for DC residents,” said André Greene, pastor of Varick Memorial AME Zion Church and a member of Washington Interfaith Network’s Strategy Team. “Thanks to strong community advocacy, we were able to restore some funding and maintain key laws. But many of the challenges raised by the original proposal have yet to be fully addressed.”

Low-income residents, advocates note, continue to struggle with skyrocketing utility bills and limited access to costly but essential electrification upgrades. The Affordable Home Electrification Program and other SETF-supported initiatives are key tools, but with funding levels far below what’s needed, thousands will remain without help.

“Utility bills are higher than ever in the District, and the budget passed today fails to fully fund programs that are helping to lower those bills while creating healthier and more resilient homes,” said Claire Mills, DC Campaigns Manager, Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund. “The District’s budget should not just restore our existing climate commitments and barely meet the everyday needs of residents; it should prioritize making D.C. a leader in building an affordable, clean energy future for working Washingtonians.”

Attention now turns to another looming issue: the redevelopment of RFK Stadium, set to cost DC taxpayers more than $1 billion in public infrastructure and support, with little input from community members. While the project has drawn attention as a potential economic opportunity, advocates are urging lawmakers to ensure that large-scale public investments reflect the District’s values on both sustainability and equity by requiring the site to maximize energy efficiency and not burn fossil fuels on-site, prioritize public transit, and include adequate community input. 

“This budget has unfortunately slashed programs that lower utility bills through efficiency and electrification measures. That makes it all the more important to ensure that new developments, like those planned RFK, are all-electric and highly efficient so that we don’t have to do costly retrofits later,” concluded Mark Rodeffer, co-chair of the Beyond Gas Subcommittee of the Sierra Club DC Chapter.

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