Moms Clean Air Force

Fighting for Our Kids' Health

Washington, DC

Moms are working in Washington, DC to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in Washington DC, and let us know about your priorities.

3,161

members in Washington, DC

How we’re making a difference in Washington, DC

Washington, DC Moms Respond to Covid-19

As we continue to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic in DC, Moms Clean Air Force is holding all events virtually. Keeping our families safe is our top priority. So we are meeting with each other and our lawmakers remotely, while we explore ways to best support DC communities.

DC Moms urge the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to electrify its transit bus fleet.

On October 1, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force DC and partner organizations released a 17-page report titled A Vision for Climate Leadership in Washington, DC: Seizing the Economic, Climate, and Public Health Benefits of Electrifying WMATA’s Transit Bus Fleet. WMATA operates the 6th largest transit bus fleet in the nation with more than 1,500 buses. Currently, only one of those buses is electric, and only 14 additional electric buses are expected to enter the fleet over the next year. WMATA has clearly not kept pace with other major cities, like New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle, which have made commitments to electrify their entire bus fleets.

A Vision for Climate Leadership outlines steps WMATA should take to reduce its fleet emissions for the health of our communities and climate, including publicly committing to convert all buses to electric by 2045, immediately phasing out the purchase of internal combustion buses, and prioritizing the deployment of electric buses in environmental justice and low-income communities.

Read the full report HERE.

DC Moms join Moms Clean Air Force members from across the country to demand EPA protect our families from dangerous smog.

On August 30 and September 1, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force DC joined more than 50 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 14 states to deliver testimony at EPA’s virtual public hearing on ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog is a widespread and largely preventable form of air pollution that is a powerful lung irritant and asthma trigger. In July 2020, in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic, EPA chose to keep the standards for smog the same—in spite of strong evidence showing significant health harm at levels below the current standards—and opened a public comment period that would be considered notably short even if we were not in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic. This continues a disturbing trend at EPA, led by Administrator Andrew Wheeler, of sidelining science, ignoring environmental injustice, and stifling public participation in the rulemaking process.

Public Health Policy Director Molly Rauch, DC organizer Stephanie Klein, and 3 volunteers offered testimony. Listen to Molly’s testimony here:

DC Moms join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to demand stronger protections against deadly soot.

In May 2020, Moms Clean Air Force DC joined more than 65 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 18 states and DC to deliver testimony at the EPA’s virtual public hearing on PM 2.5, or deadly soot. In April 2020, Trump’s EPA proposed to retain the current standards for particle pollution, ignoring science and putting thousands of lives at risk. Even in the midst of a national public health emergency from COVID-19, moms participated in the public hearing in record numbers. It’s one of many ways Moms Clean Air Force DC is continuing to engage in serious and consequential advocacy and outreach during the coronavirus pandemic.

Public Health Policy Director Molly Rauch, DC organizer Stephanie Klein, and Supermom Dorothy Brandt offered testimony.

Moms Clean Air Force elevates the concerns of moms around the country at the DC public hearing on the rollback of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Moms from Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia testified against the proposed rollbacks to NEPA at the Council on Environmental Quality public hearing in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2020. During the Rally to Protect Your Voice, which included speakers from around the country, DC Field Organizer Stephanie Klein elevated moms’ concerns about the Trump administration’s attempt to weaken this critical tool for public input that protects communities and our children.

Read more about NEPA here.

Moms DC Field Organizer Stephanie Klein speaks at the Rally to Protect Your Voice in Washington, DC, February, 2020.

Moms Clean Air Force DC joins the Mayor’s Green Building Advisory Council.

DC organizer Stephanie Klein was appointed to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Green Building Advisory Council in December 2019. In this role, she helps the District develop and implement innovative programs to further the green building goals outlined in the Clean Energy DC Act, the nation’s most progressive state climate legislation.

Moms DC Field Organizer Stephanie Klein joins the Green Building Advisory Council, December 2019.

Moms helped DC pass a landmark climate change bill.

As part of the DC Climate Coalition, Moms Clean Air Force DC fought to pass the strongest state climate bill in the country, moving DC to 100% renewable energy by 2032. Moms Clean Air Force spent years educating community members, talking with DC council members, testifying at public hearings, attending visibility events, sending letters, making signs, showing up at city council meetings, and placing calls to get the District mayor and council members on board with the climate bill. The Clean Energy DC Act was passed unanimously by the DC City Council in December 2018. The bill is already creating ripples throughout the country.

Moms Clean Air Force members thank DC Council members Kenyan McDuffie and Mary Cheh for their commitment to addressing climate change through the strongest state-level climate bill in the nation.

Moms Clean Air Force’s DC organizer, Elizabeth Brandt, is highlighted on the BBC for her work helping to get the Clean Energy DC Act passed in 2018.

Moving DC to enact strong climate policies.

As federal legislation lags, no city has sent a stronger message demanding climate action than DC. Moms Clean Air Force organized parents to reduce fossil fuel pollution and create a more just and sustainable economy for all through the passage of a landmark climate change bill, the Clean Energy DC Act. The bill was passed by the DC Council in December 2018. The nation’s capital will adopt one of the most aggressive carbon-cutting goals in the country, providing a showcase example for climate action at the local level. It will put DC on the path to 100% renewable electricity by 2032, fund local sustainability initiatives, decrease harmful climate pollution, and support low-income residents.

Moms Clean Air Force played an integral role in the DC Climate Coalition, a group of over one hundred organizations and businesses united for a strong climate law for the city. Our moms met with city council members, testified at hearings, and participated in visibility events to push for the passage of the bill, helping to show support for strong, health-protective climate action.

Moms Clean Air Force looks forward to continuing to work with the city as the law is implemented in the upcoming years.

Moms Clean Air Force DC Organizer Elizabeth Brandt (left) and Public Health Policy Director Molly Rauch (center) speaking at a press conference outside DC City Hall to celebrate the passage of the Clean Energy DC Act, December 2018.

We work for change at the local and federal level.

DC moms are uniquely positioned to push for change both at the local and federal level. Our DC chapter relies on the power of our “Supermoms,” highly active members who support our mission, attend events, speak to press, and represent our million members in other parts of the country. They join legislative visits to Capitol Hill, attend and testify at public hearings, participate in on-the-ground events such as rallies and marches, and contribute their advice and unique skills to our work.

Moms Clean Air Force members at the Play-In for Climate Action, Washington, DC.

Our children breathe dirty air.

DC’s air quality has improved dramatically over the past several years. While code red air days for both ozone and particulate matter were a common occurrence in the early 2000s, the frequency of these days has dramatically declined in recent years. But while the region has made substantial steps to reduce air pollution in DC, there is still much work to be done.

Despite improvements in the number of code red air days, the American Lung Association gave the District an F grade for ozone air pollution owing to the high number of code orange days in 2019.

In fact, Washington ranked among the top 25 most polluted cities for ozone pollution in 2019.

Moms Clean Air Force is continuing to educate residents on the dangers of ozone pollution, as well as helping to push for stronger national air pollution standards.

Past Events

October 2020:

On October 9, DC organizer Stephanie Klein testified at the DC Council Public Roundtable on Waste Management and Agency Operations at the Department of Public Works.

September 2020:
On September 29, Moms Clean Air Force chapters in DC, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia hosted watch parties for the first presidential debate. After receiving hundreds of emails and tweets from our members, debate moderator Chris Wallace strayed from the planned debate topics and spent 10 minutes questioning the candidates about their climate policy. It was the first time a debate moderator had asked a question about climate change during a presidential debate in 12 years.

DC Moms joined the September meeting of the DC Climate Coalition on September 14. The meeting featured We Power DC’s campaign against Pepco’s unjust rate increases and the Sierra Club DC’s Beyond Gas campaign.

DC Moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone. Public Health Policy Director Molly Rauch, DC organizer Stephanie Klein, and 3 volunteers urged EPA to follow the science and strengthen the existing rule. Listen to Molly’s testimony here.

August 2020:

DC Moms joined the August meeting of the DC Climate Coalition on August 3. The meeting featured a presentation from the Sierra Club on oil & gas pollution and how to accelerate DC’s transition away from methane use in buildings.

July 2020:

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in the dedication ceremony for Warming Waters, an installation of massive, colorful cotton fabric saris from Bangladesh covered with printmaking and writing about climate change by residents of Washington and Katakhali Village, Bangladesh, along with evening video projections on July 23. The installation draped the C&O Canal wall in Georgetown from July 23 to 25.

May 2020:

DC Moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in the EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.

April 2020:

Monica Jahan Bose and Robin Bell hosted Moms Clean Air Force and other partners for the WARMING WATERS Earth Day 50th Anniversary Virtual Event.

February 2020:

Field organizer Stephanie Klein co-led a DC City Hall Lobby Day on the implementation of the Clean Energy DC Plan with partners from the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

Members of Moms Clean Air Force from Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and DC, testified at the Washington, DC, public hearing on the rollback the National Environmental Policy Act. Moms spoke out against the White House’s plan to weaken this important safeguard. Read more here.

National Field Director Heather McTeer Toney testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform about the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards on February 6.

National Field Director Heather McTeer Toney testifies before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform against the weakening of our mercury standards.

December 2019:

On December 20, National Field Director Heather Toney joined a powerful lineup of speakers at Fire Drill Friday to call for urgent action to protect our children’s health. Speakers included Dolores Huerta, Jane Fonda, Reverand Barbor, among others. Read more about the event here.

National Field Director Heather McTeer Toney, center, with, from left, Catherine Keener, Dolores Huerta, Roshi Joan Halifax, Jane Fonda, and Gloria Steinem during the "Fire Drill Fridays" protest, calling on Congress for action to address climate change, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Dec. 20. 2019. Photo by Jose Luis Magana for Moms Clean Air Force.
National Field Director Heather McTeer Toney (center) with (from left) Catherine Keener, Dolores Huerta, Roshi Joan Halifax, Jane Fonda, and Gloria Steinem during the Fire Drill Fridays protest, calling on Congress for action to address climate change, on Capitol Hill in Washington, December 20, 2019. Photo by Jose Luis Magana for Moms Clean Air Force.

November 2019:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members testified at an EPA hearing to ask that current standards for ethane crackers be updated to be more protective of our children, our families, and our communities.

September 2019:

DC moms attended the Joint Congressional Hearing on “Voices Leading the Next Generation on the Global Climate Crisis” to support youth leaders stressing the urgency of acting on climate. Witnesses included Greta Thunberg, Jamie Margolin, Vic Barrett, and Benji Backer.

Ecomadres hosted a cafecito at local DC school, CentroNía, to talk with parents and students about the importance of acting on climate.

Moms Clean Air Force DC supported the DC Climate Strike with Greta Thunberg and other youth climate leaders from Fridays for Future DC and Youth Climate Strike DC on September 13, as strikers marched to the White House.

July 2019:

Moms Clean Air Force DC went to DC City Hall to discuss the implementation of the Clean Energy DC Act.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted the sixth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

March 2019:

On March 18, members of Moms Clean Air Force DC testified in support of the lifesaving Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) at EPA’s hearing on their proposal to undermine MATS.

February 2019:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members testified at an EPA hearing in support of a rule that ensures newly built coal plants adhere to carbon pollution limits, a rule that Trump, Wheeler, and their coal industry friends are actively working to dismantle. Moms and kids also delivered “Climate Valentines” to EPA and members of Congress on Capitol Hill following the hearing. View photos from the hearing and Valentine delivery here.

January 2019:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members welcomed EPA employees back to work post-government shutdown.

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended Wheeler’s nomination hearing to make it clear that as an ex-coal lobbyist, Wheeler is unfit to run EPA. View photos from the meetings and hearing here.

December 2018:

On December 18, the DC Council passed the strongest climate bill in the country, the Clean Energy DC Act! Moms were a critical part of this fight, visiting the office of DC Councilmember Mary Cheh just the day before. Additionally, Moms Clean Air Force’s Molly Rauch spoke at a press conference following the passage of the bill.

Moms Clean Air Force DC members attended the “Solving Our Climate Change Crisis” national town hall in Washington, DC.

November 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in a tree planting with Ecomadres at Ladybird Johnson Park in DC.

October 2018:

Field organizer Liz Brandt testified in support of the DC Clean Energy Act at DC City Hall.

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members participated in a climate rally with UMC in Frederick, Maryland.

Field organizer Liz Brandt testified in support of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018.

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in “Climate in the Pulpit” activities at a local church.

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in a United Methodist Women DC/MD regional climate event in Fredrick, Maryland.

Moms Clean Air Force DC hosted a cafecito to celebrate the launch of Ecomadres.

September 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC members attended the “Put a Price On It” press conference at DC City Hall.

Field organizer Liz Brandt tabled and spoke at the Chevy Chase Village Green Fair in Maryland.

August 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members gathered near the Department of the Interior to bring awareness to the link between climate change and forest fires.

July 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in Zero Hour Youth Climate events.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended the Censored Science conference.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill.

June 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended a Clean Cars forum in Fairfax with the Sierra Club.

May 2018:

DC area Moms Clean Air Force members attended a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing featuring testimony from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Field organizer Liz Brandt attended the Symposium on Environmental Justice at the University of Maryland.

April 2018:

DC area Moms Clean Air Force members attended a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing featuring EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Field organizer Liz Brandt spoke at a rally at the EPA hosted by the American Federal of Government Employees, a union representing EPA employees.

Field organizer Liz Brandt led workshops for 60 public high school students at a climate summit in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled at an Earth Day event at the Pentagon.

Moms Clean Air Force DC members participated in a Carbon Price lobby day.

March 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members testified at a hearing on the proposed adoption of a cap and trade standard to limit carbon pollution from Virginia power plants.

Moms Clean Air Force DC members joined the Rally for Undocumented Youth.

February 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force DC joined United Methodist Women in Annapolis to advocate for the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

Moms Clean Air Force DC co-sponsored and tabled at the Taking the Environment Back conference.

Moms Clean Air Force joined Chispa to travel to the Maryland legislature in Annapolis to deliver petitions from the Chispa Clean Buses for Healthy Ninos campaign.

January 2018:

Moms Clean Air Force attended a Senate Environment and Public Works committee hearing featuring testimony from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Field consultant Liz Brandt spoke at an English/Spanish Chispa “Healthy Homes Healthy Communities” event at Rosa Parks Elementary in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended the DC Auto Show to call on automakers to stop the rollback of Clean Car Standards.

Moms Clean Air Force members testified at a hearing focused on America’s Clean Power Plan in Annapolis.

December 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled with Chispa at the Langley Park Christmas Bazaar.

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended a House Environment Subcommittee hearing featuring EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Prior to the hearing, field consultant, Elizabeth Brandt spoke at a rally and press conference nearby.

Moms Clean Air Force members testified at a hearing on glider trucks at EPA headquarters in Washington, DC.

Moms Clean Air Force DC dropped holiday cards to members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

November 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force co-sponsored a town hall focused on asthma in Langley Park, Maryland.

October 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled at an advocacy event at the Georgetown Patagonia store.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attend a “We Can’t Wait” carbon pricing rally.

September 2017:

Field consultant Liz Brandt spoke at a 350 Loudoun gathering in Leesburg.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted a free concert with Latin GRAMMY Award winning children’s musician Mister G at All Souls Church.

Moms Clean Air Force DC hosted a Play-In for Our Common Home in Northern Virginia.

Moms Clean Air Force DC cosponsored the Naturally Latinos Conference with the Audubon Naturalist Society.

Moms Clean Air Force DC participated in the National Cathedral Interfaith walk.

Moms Clean Air Force DC members testified at an EPA hearing on Car Emission Standards.

August 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled at the Reston Farmers Market.

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled at the Baltimore Vegan Soul Festival.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended a screening of the Inconvenient Truth Sequel in Northern Virginia.

July 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force members testified at an EPA Public Hearing on the Oil and Gas New Source Performance Standards: Proposed Three-Month Stay and Two-Year Stay held in DC.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted the fourth annual Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC, with over 500 families in attendance.

Moms Clean Air Force DC tabled at Mom’s Organic Market.

June 2017: 

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended a Senate Appropriations hearing on the EPA budget, featuring testimony from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended a House of Representatives hearing on the EPA budget, featuring testimony from EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Field organizer Liz Brandt spoke at a rally on Environmental Justice hosted by the Hip-Hop Caucus to protest cuts to the EPA budget.

Moms Clean Air Force attended an emergency rally at the White House in response to President Trump’s decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement.

May 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force tabled at Green Festival Expo.

Moms Clean Air Force tabled at Milkshake’s Concert for Mom at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted an art installation and press conference in honor of World Asthma Day at Columbus Circle.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended the Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s Carbon Pricing Campaign kickoff.

April 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force marched in the Peoples Climate March.

Moms Clean Air Force participated in the March for Science.

March 2017:

Moms Clean Air Force DC area members attended an emergency rally outside the White House in response to President Trump signing an executive order that attacks clean air safeguards.

Moms Clean Air Force DC hosted a house party in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Moms Clean Air Force tabled at a screening of TIDEWATER at the Environmental Film Festival in Washington, DC.

Moms Clean Air Force Public Health Policy Director Molly Rauch sat on a panel at the launch of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health in Washington, DC.

September 2016:

Field organizer Julie Hantman attended “On the Front Lines: The Impact of Climate Change on Latino Communities,” sponsored by Bloomberg Government, EDF, and the Hispanic Federation.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended an awards ceremony hosted by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network celebrating the commitment of Maryland and DC policymakers.

Moms Clean Air Force DC joined the DC Table, which will handle local planning for the People’s Climate Mobilization’s large event tentatively scheduled for April 29, 2017.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended a Resources for the Future (RFF) event on carbon pricing.

July 2016:

On July 13 Moms Clean Air Force hosted the third annual Play-In for Climate Action at Upper Senate Park in Washington, DC, with over 700 kids and parents in attendance from 50 states.

June 2016:

Moms Clean Air Force DC hosted a “School’s Out Food Drive” contributing to the over 4,542 pounds of food collected by Moms Clean Air Force chapters nationwide.

Field organizer Julie Hantman attended the USCAN Annual Conference in Miami.

May 2016: 

Field organizer Julie Hantman delivered testimony at the DC Council on a package of three clean energy/climate bills.

Field organizer Julie Hantman attended a Brookings panel on Zika and climate change.

April 2016:

Field organizer Julie Hantman provided oral comments to the Office of Management and Budget in support of EPA’s New Source Performance Standards for methane.

Moms Clean Air Force tabled at the National Hispanic Medical Association annual conference.

Moms Clean Air Force DC attended a Democracy Awakening rally, to stand up against big money interests in politics, including climate politics.

March 2016:

For the second year, Moms Clean Air Force DC was a media partner to the annual Environmental Film Festival in Our Nation’s Capital. The festival theme for 2016 was “Parks” in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday.

February 2016:

Moms Clean Air Force co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the Prescription for Climate Health. Additional hosts included Environment America, Alliance for Nurses for Healthy Environments, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Georgetown University Fossil Free.

Moms Clean Air Force members from the DC area and across the country delivered valentines to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, urging EPA to take action on methane pollution from existing sources. Read more about the day HERE.

December 2015:

Moms Clean Air Force Virginia and DC members gathered at EPA headquarters to deliver thousands of comment cards to EPA thanking them for proposing standards to limit methane emissions from new oil and gas operations. (Our comments also urged them to quickly propose standards pegged to existing operations.)

November 2015:

Field organizer Julie Hantman gave a presentation to the DC Asthma Coalition on children’s health and climate change.

Moms Clean Air Force tabled during the Grand Opening of MOM’s Organic Market store at 1901 N. Veitch Street, Arlington, VA. The market generously donated 5% of all weekend sales to Moms Clean Air Force.

October 2015:

Moms Clean Air Force DC, along with a dozen other organizations, participated in planning the DC People’s Climate Movement’s Day of Action. We fielded a contingent of 16 moms, dads, and kids. A total of 400 people participated in this rush hour protest in downtown DC. The action coincided with similar actions in over 100 cities nationwide. The DC event involved protest of the fossil fuel industry’s efforts to obstruct climate action. This was followed by a march and a rally to celebrate local climate activism.

September 2015:

Moms Clean Air Force DC fielded a large and visible contingent of 20 moms and kids to attend the Rally for Climate Justice. The rally attracted thousands of people to mark Pope Francis’s climate leadership on the day of his address to the U.S. Congress. Our Moms contingent enjoyed media interest from the Washington Post and WJLA/ABC-TV and also from videographers at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

July 2014 and July 2015

Moms Clean Air Force DC helped drive participation at both the 2014 and 2015 Play-In for Climate Action events on Capitol Hill and supported implementation of this national event. Over 700 people turned out for both Play-Ins combined, which urged Congress to support the Clean Power Plan to cut carbon pollution by power plants.

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