DC mayor's office denies plans for gas-fired power plant at RFK Stadium site amid activist concerns

Well, later this morning, a coalition of organizations is speaking out demanding the Washington Commanders drop any potential plans to build a gas-fired powered plant that would help power the new RFK Stadium. But the mayor's office says this is not true. There is no plans to build a gas-fired power plant. So let's break out to Fox 5's Stephanie Ramirez. She is live in Northeast D.C. with more. Stephanie. Julie, good morning. What the mayor's office is saying on the record is, quote, there is no need for nor will there be a natural gas fired power plant at the RFK campus, end quote. And the mayor's office is also committed to building a sustainable, modern campus and stadium redevelopment here. Now, what's going on is that there are needs that need to be met when it comes to energy. And so what was explained to me is that Pepco can't guarantee that they'll have the electric capacity available to power the new RFK Stadium by 2028 for a 2030 opening. So the site will need to use natural gas for a specific set of kitchen and heating systems until they can update the electricity structure. And this has to be done by 2028 for testing and whatnot. And the city wants, needs a stadium finished by 2030 to compete in other big projects like possibly hosting the 2031 Women's World Cup and the Rugby World Cup. Now, activists involved are concerned about the energy waiver requested. Several in a September 30th D.C. council hearing raised concerns calling on the council to amend the comprehensive plan so it would explicitly prohibit the use of combustion fuels on the RFK campus. We know some would consider an exception for backup power. Others want a full ban. I asked the Friends of Kingman Park Civic Association president her response to the mayor's office saying claims of potentially building a gas-fired power plant are not true. What's true is that the team is seeking a waiver. There are laws on the books and the team's seeking a waiver without having an energy plan. So we are concerned that we know burning methane gas releases toxins. We know that those toxins harm people's health. In Ward 7 and 8, we already have the highest asthma-related emergency room visits in all of D.C. So why would we add more toxins to our air? Now, we do have more questions, but I was told that there is no requirement to release a specific energy plan. We're going to be checking up on that, guys. But 1030, so not that far from now, is when this news conference is going to happen right here, Triangle Park, just next to the RFK site. And we did also reach out to the team for comment. Marissa? It's tough. We'll see what comes out of it. Thank you.