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D.C. council hearing: advocates warn mayor—s FY26 cuts would 'devastate' Department of Energy and Environment
Summary
Chair Charles Allen convened a marathon budget hearing on June 13 after hundreds of witnesses registered to speak about Mayor Bowser—s proposed FY26 cuts to environmental programs. Former council members, community groups and developers told the Committee on Transportation and the Environment that sweeping special-purpose funds to pay city utility bills would cripple the Department of Energy and Environment and jeopardize clean-energy, stormwater and education programs.
Chair Charles Allen convened a marathon budget oversight hearing on June 13, where more than 130 public witnesses testified on the mayor—s proposed FY26 operating plan for the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) and the DC Green Bank. Witnesses repeatedly urged the council to restore local funding the mayor proposes to sweep into the general fund.
At the hearing, former Council Chair Mary Che said bluntly, "This budget will devastate DOE," and urged immediate action to protect long-running programs. Former Councilmember Tommy Wells said the proposal "severs the trust of our residents" because fees collected to support climate and water work would be diverted to general expenses. Advocates and agency partners warned the cuts would end or sharply reduce the Healthy Homes and RiverSmart programs, environmental education grants, green-infrastructure maintenance and volunteer water quality monitoring.
Why it matters: DOEE administers the city—s environmental permitting and many grant programs, the DCSEU runs energy-efficiency and electrification programs that target low- and…
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