In this newsletter you will find:

• YOU’RE INVITED: Visit electrified homes and take part in group coaching sessions

• WHAT’S AHEAD: DC region governments want you to electrify, and Electrify DC gets to help thanks to the THREE grants we were awarded!

• ELECTRIFY DC IN THE NEWS: “Insulate the crap out of everything”

• USE YOUR VOICE: You can protect the health and future of our communities

• FEEL GOOD NEWS: Heat pump sales outpaced gas furnaces by 32%

• WATTS HAPPENING: Fun and useful events from throughout the region

If these days you are feeling overwhelmed and at the mercy of the powers that be, remember that we have the power to elect the people that make the budgetary decisions that right now are rolling back environmental protections and redirecting funding that could keep our communities safe and healthy. More importantly, we have the power to decide what to fund with our own money in our own homes.

You can use that power right now!

Vanessa Bertelli — vanessa@electrifydc.org
Executive Director and Co-Founder

When it rains, it pours!

Electrify DC has been awarded not one, not two, but THREE grants by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). Learn about the impactful initiatives funded through these grants:

• Residential electrification home energy coaching in DC

• Tenant education on energy efficiency in buildings participating in DCSEU’s Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator

• General residential electrification outreach in Southern and Central Maryland

We look forward to accelerating the transition to clean energy in the DC region with our amazing community partners Latino Economic Development Center, Go Electric DMV, CARECEN, and ReDelicious DC.

Electrify DC in the news: “Insulate the crap out of everything”

We are honored Electrify DC has been featured in the first edition of E/lectrify by veteran energy reporter K Kaufmann. With utility bill payment support programs being scrapped, Pepco’s charges going up, and the weather getting more extreme, there has never been a better time to do just that. Read about Electrify DC’s work to decarbonize all homes starting with insulating everything, followed by slapping solar panels on every suitable roof, and replacing any appliance that fails with a high efficient electric one.

Call your representative (and your mama) :)

You should always call your mama, but today call your councilmembers first. Or email them. Let them know how you feel about the proposed budget that cuts 24% of the Department of Energy and Environment’s budget and that redirects to other uses 75% of the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (which DC residents contribute to through their utility bills) which is supposed to pay for clean energy programs that support residents.

If you are a DC resident, in addition to the councilmember that represents your ward, the Council Chair and the four At-Large councilmembers represent you too. You can find their emails and phone numbers here. If you are not a DC resident, please forward this email to all your DC friends.

Feel Good News: Heat pumps for the win!

Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces by their biggest-ever margin in 2024. “According to shipment data from the industry trade group Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, Americans bought 32% more air-source heat pumps than the next-most-popular heating appliance, gas furnaces, last year. That smashes 2023’s record-setting lead of 21%.”

DC Climate Week should be every week

Electrify DC participated in DC Climate Week, with Vanessa speaking on the Smart City Planning panel at Sycamore & Oak. We had a great time, learned plenty, and miss it already.

Watts Happening

Email info@electrifydc.org to list your event.

Cash in on Clean Energy

Free, Catered Contractor Info Session: Join Green and Healthy Homes Initiative and the Building Decarbonization Coalition for a two-hour informational event focused on zero-emissions heating equipment. Learn about the newest innovations in heat pump technology, how to take advantage of state and utility incentives, and how upcoming building rules may affect your work.

Date: June 24, 2025

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Prince George’s Community College, Performing Arts Center, 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD 20774

Register through this link.

Go Solar TkPk!

It's back! Go Solar, TkPk! returns bigger and better this year! This is an interactive event for anyone interested in, thinking about, or planning for solar, including relevant information for renters, homeowners, and multifamily property owners. We will also include information on options for subscribing to clean energy. 

This is a free event. Click here to RSVP.

*NEW this year: Join a tour of a residential solar project in Takoma Park!

Are you interested in going solar but don't know where to start? Join the pre-event residential solar tour and get all your question answered! Interested participants are asked to meet at the Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) at 5:45pm. This will occur BEFORE the main event in the Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Please click here to RSVP. More details will be sent via email to registrants.

Thursday, June 26, 2025
7:00-9:00 PM, City Auditorium (online streaming option available)

SolarizeNOVA: In-Person Info Session for Fairfax and Loudoun County Residents

Join the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination at the Chantilly Regional Library for an engaging and informative in-person session about the Solarize Virginia program. This is a prime opportunity to meet with solar experts, ask questions in real-time, and network with fellow community members interested in sustainable energy solutions. The event will cover everything from the basics of solar power to the specific incentives available in the Northern Virginia area. Registration is free and encouraged but not required to attend.

Date: June 30, 2025

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Location: Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road

Register through this link.

Look out for DCSEU’s new ads!

DCSEU launched a new series of ads that celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of all eight wards—through the universal language of music. Residents can discover the many benefits of clean, affordable electricity and find a rebate that hits the right note.

Electrify DC — Working together to decarbonize all homes