Media Contact: Alan Heymann (202) 741-2136

Washington, DC – The owners of District buildings may once again apply for green roof subsidies from the District Department of the Environment (DDOE). A green roof is a roof planted with special vegetation to help cool the building and reduce the amount of stormwater that runs off into the District’s waterways.

“Plants do an amazing job of cooling a city and cleaning its air and water,” said DDOE Director George S. Hawkins. “By adding them to the top of a building, you can save money on your utility bills and help protect the District’s rivers at the same time.”

The DDOE green roof subsidy is $5 per square foot, up to a total of $20,000, an increase of two thirds over last year’s subsidy. The program is administered through DC Greenworks, a local nonprofit organization. Owners of residential or commercial buildings may apply for the subsidy for any green roof project of 4,000 square feet or less. The project must cover at least 50 percent of the building. DDOE will fund qualifying projects on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about green roofs in the District, including an online application for the subsidy and photos from existing roof installations, please visit http://ddoe.dc.gov/greenroofs.