Two new financial institutions from Brazil and Washington, D.C., today joined a growing green financing movement that uses relatively small pools of public funds to attract substantially larger private funds to invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and other low-carbon technologies and projects aiding the shift from fossil fuels to a climate-friendly future.

The two new members—Minas Gerais Development Bank (BDMG) of Brazil, a state-level development bank, and the D.C. Green Bank of the United States, a city-level green bank created to support a thriving, sustainable capital city for all—joined the Green Bank Network at an official side event held during the COP26 global climate talks in Glasgow.

The event titled, Banking on Green: The role of green banks and development finance institutions in mobilizing private investments into climate solutions,” was organized by Green Bank Network, Green Bank Development Platform, Inter-American Development Bank, Latin American Association of Development Financing Institutions, Minas Gerais Development Bank and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council.)

“We are excited to join this growing group of green banks and a dynamic network that is focused on building a better future for all,” said Eli Hopson, CEO of DC Green Bank of the United States. “We are committed to learning from our colleagues in the network as well as sharing best practices to deliver critical impact at scale. We know that we cannot achieve this impact and transition to a clean energy and resilient future unless we bring everyone with us, and that is why we invest in line with our core values of Sustainability, Inclusive Prosperity, and Clean Economy. We are looking forward to working with the Green Bank Network to build a future where all investment becomes green investment.”

View Full Press Release

The District of Columbia Green Finance Authority (“DC Green Bank” or “DCGB”) invites software product development vendors to propose comprehensive, outsourced loan origination and management software solutions as the organization grows. This Request for Proposal (RFP) solicits a resource to serve as DCGB’s primary outsourced online lending solution development.

All proposals must be submitted to DCGB by 4:00pm on January 7, 2022.

If you have any questions about the RFP process, please email DC Green Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Donald Walker, at dwalker@dcgreenbank.com and/or Mike Chase, DCGB IT Consultant, at it@dcgreenbank.com

UPDATED-RFP-Online-Lending-Solution
  • November 1, 2021
  • November 1 - November 12, 2021
  • Glasgow, Scotland, UK and Virtual
  • View Exhibition Here

    As part of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, DC Green Bank will be featured in the Global Cities Climate Action Exhibition. In partnership with C40 Cities, the exhibition will include content from across the globe by showcasing outstanding efforts by cities to accelerate progress towards achieving local, national, and international climate change commitments. The exhibition will be available virtually around the world as well as in the Green Zone in Glasgow, Scotland from November 1 – November 12, 2021.

    Come along on this journey with us and view the exhibition below:

    View Global Cities Climate Action Exhibition

    DCGB's Impact Goes International at COP26

    The Mission, Values, and Impact of DC Green Bank
  • October 25, 2021
  • Perry Street Prep Public Charter School
  • Registration Closed

    The DC Green Bank team joined Green Compass and Casey Trees to plant more than 20 trees at Perry Street Prep Public Charter School in Ward 5. These trees are meant to provide shade for the school and community as well as improve stormwater abatement and positive climate impacts.

    DC Green Bank has invested in an ongoing series of planned stormwater and green infrastructure projects with Green Compass, and Perry Street Prep is one of the sites where additional stormwater management projects will commence in the coming months.

     

     

     

     

  • October 21, 2021
  • All Day
  • 416 Olney Sandy Spring Rd
  • Register Here

    DC Green Bank is at the 145th Annual Gathering of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention to engage with faith leaders about our work and how we can support affordable investments and save congregations and faith communities money.

    To provide an experience to meet you at your comfort level, they are hosting a hybrid event. The in-person components of the Gathering will be the Older Adult and Ministers’ Convocations, Business Session, Emerging Voices, Thursday dinner, and the evening worship experiences on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, the ENTIRE event will be available virtually.

    The gracious host for the Annual Gathering is Olive Branch Community Church, with Pastor and DCBC President Rev. Dr. Donald R. Kelly, located at 416 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Sandy Spring, Md. They will adhere to MD requirements regarding in-person gatherings. Face masks will be required for all indoor activities and we will practice social distancing.

    The Importance of Green Finance for the District 

    Eli Hopson and Brandi Colander 

     

    Green banks are a new concept for many in our community and across the nation. However, states and municipalities around the country have been creating these institutions for over a decade, beginning with the state of Connecticut’s green bank in 2011. Under the leadership of Mayor Bowser and the City Council, the District joined this movement in 2018 with the passage of the Green Finance Authority Establishment Act, and with the subsequent onset of full operations of DC Green Bank in 2020. As we embark on our second full year of operations, we think it is important that we continue to take the time to ensure that everyone in our community knows what green banks are, what impacts they can have for residents and communities, what DC Green Bank has done to date, and what we see for the future. 

    What Exactly is a Green Bank? 

    This is one of the most common questions our team receives. Green banks are financial institutions that make loans and investments similar to private banks, but they do so based on different goals and expected impacts. Although green banks do not take deposits or have consumer lines of credit, they create prosperity far beyond the boundaries of any one investment. Green banks are mission-driven financial institutions that invest public dollars to deploy clean energy systems, increase energy efficiency, save money for businesses and residents, create jobs, and accelerate progress toward meeting climate, energy, economic, resilience, and public health goals. 

    In line with this understanding about green banks, our mission at DC Green Bank is to provide access to capital, growing the clean economy to develop a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable DC. As a green bank, the way we pursue this mission is to view every loan through the lens of our core values – Sustainability, Inclusive Prosperity, and Clean Economy.  

    Sustainability: This means that we align the impacts of our loans with a world in which we all live within in a healthy environment. 

    Inclusive Prosperity: We strive to ensure that our investments reach every part of the District, and specifically target financial impact and job creation in portions of the city that have been underserved in the past. 

    Clean Economy: We know that a green city means a prosperous city, and that’s why our investments are designed to lead to local job creation and to contribute to a foundation where DC becomes home to the jobs of the future. 

    In line with our values, we are working hard to not only deploy our resources to transform the city into a cleaner, greener, and more equitable home for our residents, but we are also working to show the way for private financial institutions so that over time all banking in the District is green banking. 

    What Specific Impacts Can Green Banks Have for Residents and Communities? 

    Green banks are unique because they are inherently local institutions and, therefore, are ideally suited to put both residents’ and communities’ sustainability and inclusive prosperity needs at the forefront.  Here are just a few of the benefits of going green: 

    • Green means that residents, communities, and businesses save money. 
    • Green means that we are able to invest in good, well-paying jobs right here in our community.  
    • Green means that we have access to clean, renewable energy that improves the health and wellbeing of our residents and alleviates large fluctuations in energy prices. 
    • Green means that the air quality for our families improves every day. 
    • Green means that we can move rapidly towards improving water quality for our residents and in our waterways. 
    • Green means that we have an opportunity to reverse decades of underinvestment in communities that have all too often been left behind. 
    • Green means that we can prepare for the impacts of climate change by addressing urban heat impacts, flooding, and carbon emissions. 

    Green is not just a buzzword; it means that, together, we can build a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous future for all DC.  

    What has DC Green Bank Accomplished to Date? 

    Now that we have discussed what green banks are and what concrete impacts they can deliver, we want to give you an overview of what DC Green Bank has accomplished so far right here at home. Although we are a young institution, we have hit the ground running. Since our launch last year, we have established robust policies and procedures and brought on board a strong team with critical expertise, growing from just 1 to now 12 full-time employees. We have launched exciting financial products to meet the rising investment needs for solar energy systems, green and efficient buildings, stormwater infrastructure, and transportation electrification. To date, we have made approximately $3 million dollars available for community investments, which is slated to unlock over $15 million of additional investments from partners. Hundreds of low-to-moderate income District families have seen their energy bills cut in half through the expansion of solar energy deployment. We are also on track to finance projects that are expected to divert and capture over 250,000 gallons of stormwater runoff per storm event. Lastly, through our investments, our projects expect to generate a total of over 100 clean economy jobs.  

    If you’d like to read a little more about some of our investments to date, you can do so here: 

    These are the types of impacts we have delivered already in our short time operating in the District, and the best is yet to come. 

    What Does the Future Look Like for DC Green Bank? 

    Since our city is a completely urban environment, it means that a significant portion of our greenhouse gas emissions come from our buildings – over 70%. That is why the District is in the process of instituting the first-in-the-nation Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), and why we are poised to take the lead in financing a transformation of the city’s built environment. The BEPS process will require that all buildings over a certain size appreciably increase their energy efficiency in the coming years by upgrading their buildings and systems – HVAC, lighting, water, insulation, building controls, and more.  DC Green Bank will be building owners’ first stop as they look to identify capital to invest now to upgrade their buildings and save money over the long term. 

    In addition to investing in large buildings, we are in the final stages of cementing exciting new partnerships. In particular, we are looking forward to providing pathways for all residents, community organizations, and small businesses in the District to do their part to contribute to a cleaner future while also saving money. This means that whether you are looking to transition from gas to electric appliances, or upgrading the building structure or windows, or installing solar panels you will be able to come to us for the financing. We all have a role to play, and DC Green Bank should be your home for all things green finance. 

    We are excited about the future and to share with you everything our team has to offer in Year Two of operation and beyond. 

    We invite you on this journey with us. To learn more, visit us at dcgreenbank.com and @DCGreenBank on TwitterInstagram, and LinkedIn

     

     

             Eli Hopson is the Chief Executive Officer of DC Green Bank.

     

                Brandi Colander is the Chair of the Board of Directors of DC Green Bank. 

  • October 6, 2021
  • 12:00 - 2:00 pm
  • Southwest DC Public Library | 900 Wesley Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024
  • Register Here

    Did you know reducing annual electricity use by 15% nationwide would save more than six lives every day, prevent nearly 30,000 asthma episodes each year, and save Americans up to $20 billion (ACEEE & Physicians for Social Responsibility)?!

    Join us and the Department of Energy and Environment, Office of the People’s Counsel, Office of the Tenant Advocate, Department of Aging & Community Living, Office of the Tenant Advocate, Public Service Commission, and Pepco on Wednesday, October 6th to celebrate National Energy Efficiency Day!

    The event will be held from 12pm – 2pm at the Southwest DC Public Library (900 Wesley Pl SW) and attendees can enjoy live music by the MPDs very own Side-By-Side Band!

    2021_Energy-efficency-day-flyer

    By Tristan Navera, Washington Business Journal

    The project will still need bank financing to go vertical, but the pieces are coming together.

    Read the Full Article Here

    By Nena Perry-Brown, Urban Turf

    While this mixed-use Deanwood development didn’t meet its crowdfunding minimum, it just won additional funding from an unlikely source.

    The DC Green Bank announced a $250,000 pre-development loan this morning for developer Medici Road to realize its by-right project at 4276 Sheriff Road NE (map). The development will include 13 condos for households earning up to 80% of area median income; co-working space; a headquarters for Medici Road; and 6,800 square feet of retail, including a 2,500 square-foot grocer.

    As designed by architect Michael Weincek, the 17,000 square-foot building would include a rooftop solar array and a means to recycle stormwater. It is projected that the solar power would save each resident $2,400 on electricity over 10 years, and the stormwater system would have a 9,000 gallon capacity for each weather event and would reduce soil erosion and pollution by 2-5%.

    Medici Road has also received funding from Capital Impact Partners’s loan fund; the developer expects to acquire building permits early next year.

    Read the Full Article Here

    DC Green Bank and Medici Road today announced the closing of a $250,000 pre-development loan to finance the design and planning stages for an energy efficient and sustainable building in Ward 7 in Northeast Washington, D.C. Located on a currently vacant lot, Medici Road estimates that the building will be 17,000 square feet and include 13 affordable condominium units, space for their corporate headquarters, as well as a grocery store, increasing access to nutrition in Ward 7 where there are currently only two grocery stores. The building’s current design also includes rooftop solar panels and a stormwater recycling system. These elements are projected to retain 9,000 gallons of stormwater per storm event and save $2,400 in electricity costs per resident over the next 10 years as well as reduce onsite soil erosion and local pollution by 2 – 5%. The current design is also anticipated to create 65 jobs in the local community – 55 jobs during the construction phase and an additional 10 permanent jobs to run the grocery store and office space. Medici Road has committed to hiring local Deanwood residents for these positions.

    “We could not have asked for a more perfect illustration of our values in a single project, and we are excited to work with Medici Road to move it forward,” said DC Green Bank CEO Eli Hopson. “Communities know best what they need, and by funding projects that support affordable housing, access to nutrition, local job creation, and a clean and resilient community we can demonstrate the future we all want to build.”

    Thomas Houston, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Medici Road, said of the partnership, “We are excited to be working with DC Green Bank to pursue our shared values. This project can demonstrate that we don’t have to wait for anyone to lift up our communities. We are the ones that can deliver inclusive investment that addresses the drivers and impacts of racism and poverty and creates a sustainable model for others to follow.”

    Download and Read the Full Press Release Here

     

    DCGB-Press-Release-Medici-Road-09.20.2021
  • September 28, 2021
  • 1:00 - 6:00 pm Eastern
  • Hybrid Event
  • Registration Closed
    The event will be a hybrid event, with live participation as well as virtual participation.

    The DC Public Service Commission (PSC) is hosting the District of Columbia’s Clean Energy Summit to discuss how utility regulators and industry experts can advance progress toward national and local clean energy goals.

    There will be multiple panels and keynotes featuring federal, state, local, and industry leaders who will come together to answer questions and open a discussion as to how we chart a path to a clean energy future.

    DC Green Bank Director of Operations Donald Walker will participate in a panel from 3:00 – 4:00 pm entitled, “To 2032 and Beyond! How will D.C. Reach Its Ambitious Clean Energy Goals.”

    Introduction By:

    Hon. Emile Thompson, Commissioner, DCPSC

     

    Moderator:

    Tommy Wells, Director, D.C. Department of Energy & Environment

     

    Panelists:

    Donald Walker, Director of Operations, D.C. Green Bank

    Mike Healy, CEO, New Columbia Solar

    Gilbert Campbell, Co-founder & CEO, Volt Energy

    Ted Trabue, Managing Director, DC Sustainable Energy Utility

    Kishia Powell, COO, D.C. Water

     

    Panel Discussion Overview:

    D.C. has aggressive clean energy and emission goals that focus on the installation of renewable and distributed energy resources in the District itself. There are several lucrative incentives driving clean energy adoption in the city including the RPS and Solar for All programs. Despite these incentives, there are hurdles today to clean energy expansion and the hurdles tomorrow might be even more daunting. This panel will feature leaders and practitioners in the District who work on these issues every day. They will discuss the last mile issues with clean energy in the District and moving towards our aggressive goals.

     

    Watch the Full Summit Here

     

    Excerpt of Panel Discussion Remarks from Donald Walker

    DC Public Service Commission Clean Energy Summit
  • September 27, 2021
  • 12:00 - 1:00 pm EST
  • Zoom
  • Registration Closed
    All participants must register to attend.

    DC Green Finance Authority (“DC Green Bank”) will conduct a Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors, pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, (DC Official Code §2-574(1)).

    Pre-registration is required.

    The meeting notice for the September 27 regular meeting of the DC Green Bank Board of Directors has been updated since the most recent publication of the DC Register. For the latest meeting notice, please click the button below.

    Read Latest Board Meeting Notice

    Regular Meeting of the DC Green Bank Board of Directors

    September 27 2021