Alternative energy proponents in Washington D.C. have passed legislation to make the city a model example that they hope the rest of the country will follow. (LINK)  Government agencies in Washington D.C. already receive fifty percent of their energy from wind-generated sources, but now one hundred percent of energy will be derived from wind-generated sources.  The District of Columbia Department of General Services claims that using one hundred percent wind-generated electricity is the same as taking 61,000 vehicles off the road for a year.

This is an interesting move, and makes me wonder if their commitment to wind energy will last.  The electricity is being purchased from a wind farm in Northern Virginia, and the contract is only good for one year.  After making a decision like this, it seems like it would be very difficult to go back to their old ways, and the contract will most likely be renewed.  The article does not mention what the wind generated electricity is costing the city compared to what they were paying before.  However, this definitely shows that the government is taking a step in the right direction by using energy sources that they try to force others to use. 

Sustainable practices do not stop with wind-generated electricity in Washington D.C..  The District of Columbia Department of General Services is taking steps to improve the city in other ways as well, and has created the Sustainable DC Plan.  Their main goal is to increase the use of renewable energy and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.  There are many “green jobs” available in Washington D.C. and the city already has over two hundred LEED and Energy Star buildings.  They are also bringing in companies such as Lucid Design Group and Honest Buildings to help discover and correct inefficiencies in energy consumption in both new and existing structures.