Extinction Rebellion DC Wins Key Victories in Electrify DC Campaign

The DC Council’s letter to the Public Service Commission regarding Washington Gas’ Project Pipes fulfills two out of three campaign demands

Image by Will Dickson

Washington, DC – Last week, 11 DC Councilmembers sent a letter to the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) urging them to reject Washington Gas’ $4.5 billion accelerated pipeline replacement program, Project Pipes. This letter is the first time the DC Council has publicly acknowledged Project Pipes and the harms it poses to DC residents, marking a major progression in a long campaign to stop the construction of more fossil fuel infrastructure in the nation’s capital. 

In the letter, the Councilmembers clearly state that: 

  • Project Pipes is incompatible with the District’s climate goals and imposes unnecessarily high cost burdens on DC residents, especially for low-income households

  • The PSC should direct Washington Gas to focus on repairing already-existing leaks – a more cost- and climate-effective alternative – rather than whole pipeline replacement.

  • The PSC should begin comprehensive, integrated thermal energy planning consistent with the District’s climate neutrality goals.

The Councilmembers’ points nearly fulfill the first two demands of Extinction Rebellion DC’s End Methane, Electrify DC campaign:

  1. Make a public statement that Washington Gas’ plans to replace and use the capital’s methane gas infrastructure will make it impossible for the city to meet its goals to combat the climate crisis.

  2. Direct the Public Service Commission to end the pipe replacement project, other than emergency repairs needed to protect the health and safety of residents.

Claire Hacker, press spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion DC, released the following statement:

“This letter from a significant majority of the DC Council is a major step forward in our efforts to kick methane gas out of our city. After two years of outside pressure, combined with the consistent work of organizations working inside the political system, Councilmembers have finally started to step up to the plate. From disrupting Council meetings to chaining ourselves to the Wilson building to shutting down Project Pipes construction, XRDC rebels have been instrumental in pressuring the Council to use its power to protect constituents and stop this deadly project.

“While this is a milestone in our campaign, our work is far from over. The PSC has yet to decide whether to approve phase three of Project Pipes, and there are still actions needed from the Council. The whole Council needs to be on board with the rejection of Project Pipes, they need to pass the Healthy Homes Act, and they must commit to immediately start working with the city’s administration on a just transition plan that prioritizes DC’s most marginalized people and ends the city’s reliance on gas in this decade.

“As long as Washington Gas is at large in DC and pushing their greenwashed lies out on every channel possible, we will be here to tell the truth. We still have a long way to go to address the climate crisis and ensure a just energy transition with all of DC residents’ needs being met, regardless of their zip code. This most recent victory is a ray of hope that shows we are winning and inspires us to keep going.”

If you would like to learn more about XRDC’s campaign to stop Washington Gas’ Project Pipes and electrify the city, please reach out to Abby at xrdc.press@protonmail.com. 

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Abby Shepard