An Energy Efficient Makeover for D.C.-Area Public Transit

D.C. Metro has a plan to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption by building to LEED green building standards and buying electric buses.

1 minute read

April 25, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

MJW15 / Wikimedia Commons

"The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) introduced its first Energy Action Plan to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and long-term operating costs," reports Katie Pyzyk.

The energy action plan calls for electric buses and new LEED-certified facilities, requiring a five-year investment of $65 million. The agency plans to redesign its Potomac Yard Metrorail station in Alexandria, Virginia to be the first-ever LEED-certified transit station. That station is proximate to the future location of Amazon's second headquarters.

The WMATA is pitching the Energy Action Plan as an investment that will pay long-term dividends in cost savings--$16 million in energy costs savings each year, "and another $13 million in savings on operations and maintenance by 2025," according to Pyzyk.

FULL STORY: DC's transit agency announces Energy Action Plan

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 in Smart Cities Dive

Energy Environment Infrastructure Urban Development District of Columbia Virginia Washington D.C. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Public Transit Energy Action Plan Electric Buses Carbon Emissions Energy Efficiency Transit Operations View More

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