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OFFICE of ENVIRONMENTAL
and ENERGY COORDINATION
Environmental, Climate, and Energy News
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Resilient Fairfax, the county’s plan to address the effects of a changing climate on residents, critical infrastructure, public services, and natural resources, has been honored again — this time by the American Planning Association’s Virginia Chapter.
Fairfax County’s plan was also recognized in April by the American Planning Association’s Sustainable Communities Division, a national award that honors projects, policies and plans that show exemplary leadership in sustainability planning and implementation.
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SSDN Annual Meeting Showcases Resilient Fairfax Plan Efforts
Resilient Fairfax isn’t just earning kudos from professional planners — other jurisdictions across the southeastern United States are using the Resilient Fairfax plan and its resources as an example.
In May, the plan was featured at the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) Annual Meeting in Little Rock, Ark. Allison Homer, a Senior Community Specialist with the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), shared more details about the plan, methodologies used and lessons learned.
SSDN is comprised of local government sustainability professionals from the region — including cities and counties in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia — who work to implement sustainable best practices so that communities are equipped to mitigate and adapt to
climate change.
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Fairfax County Welcomes New Green Business Leaders and Members
Through the Green Business Partners program, Fairfax County is recognizing businesses actively engaging in or interested in sustainable business practices that advance climate action and will help create a carbon neutral economy. The program has two different levels of participation: Leaders and Members.
Recently, the county program welcomed its inaugural group of Leaders and Members, including:
- Freddie Mac, McLean, Leader
- River-Sea Chocolates, Chantilly, Leader
- My Green Mother LLC, Fairfax, Member
- NearStar Fusion, Chantilly, Member
- Nothing in Between Studio, McLean & Falls Church, Member
- Pioneer LLC, Falls Church, Member
- Saitama Securities Group LLC, Fairfax, Member
The program is free to join. If your business is interested in or already taking action to adopt climate-friendly business practices, learn more and apply today.
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Solar Power Purchasing Programs Can Help Leverage the Power of Group Buying
Are you a Fairfax County homeowner interested in installing rooftop solar panels? Then consider joining a solar power purchasing program. These programs make solar as easy and cost-effective as possible by offering the following benefits:
- A free assessment to find out whether your home is a good candidate for solar installation
- Bulk discounts on solar systems, ranging from 10 to 15 percent off
- Access to a qualified solar installer
- Discounted opportunities to bundle your solar system with electric vehicle charging stations and solar battery storage
Two programs available to Fairfax County residents are Solarize NOVA
and Capital Area Solar Switch. In addition to competitive pricing on solar panels, these programs provide residents with a direct line to ask questions about the process and access to a team that vets qualified installers to compete for the group’s business.
Solarize NOVA, managed by local nonprofit LEAP (Local Energy Alliance Program), will be relaunching in July with information sessions. Capital Area Solar Switch, a program of nonprofit Solar United Neighbors, is running now through August 30 and includes free virtual and in-person information sessions on Solar 101 (solar technology, financing and incentives), as well as sessions with winning solar installers.
Learn about upcoming information sessions and register at https://solarswitch.com/en/capitalarea/home
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Know Your Numbers: The Cost Savings of Climate Action
Many of our daily actions have an environmental impact, whether we’re at home or on the go. Actions that use electricity or fuel — like turning on our lights, using appliances and devices, heating and cooling our homes, and driving our cars —contribute to climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
They also cost money: for example, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that Americans spend an average of $2,000 per year on home energy. Read our recent blog post on the cost savings of climate action —and how you can assess your personal emissions to give back to the environment and your wallet.
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In December 2022, the Board of Supervisors authorized the consideration of a Comprehensive Plan amendment to update the Countywide Policy Plan. The goals of a complete Policy Plan Update are to:
- Review, update, and streamline existing Policy Plan elements;
- Add new Policy Plan elements as needed; and
- Ensure the Policy Plan is in alignment with the Countywide Strategic Plan, the One Fairfax Policy, and other recently adopted policies and initiatives.
As part of this effort, OEEC will coordinate with the Department of Planning and Development to incorporate recommendations from the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) and Resilient Fairfax Plan into the Policy Plan.
Before an amendment can be adopted, it must be the subject of a public hearing before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Follow progress on the Countywide Policy Plan update by clicking below.
There's still time to submit a nomination for the 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards!
Each year, these awards recognize individuals, organizations, businesses
and county employees who:
- Advance or support the county's environmental goals and policy statements
- Dedicate personal time and expertise beyond normal fiscal or civic responsibilities
- Demonstrate leadership as a role model for others
Nominees’ achievements should have occurred between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, or over a period of years that include a portion of this time frame. Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on June 22, 2023. To submit a nomination, complete the
online form.
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Established in 2019, the Fairfax County Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACE) program allows commercial building owners to make substantial sustainability and resiliency improvements to their buildings with little or no up-front cost. Recently, the county’s Board of Supervisors authorized a public hearing for a proposed amendment to Chapter 127 of the Fairfax County Code to allow the county to opt into and conform to the statewide C-PACE program which launched in 2022. By opting into the statewide program, Fairfax’s C-PACE program will be part of a more uniform system, instead of one of many different local programs, and this is expected to make C-PACE projects more attractive for borrowers and lenders. The hearing is set for June 6 at 4 p.m.
C-PACE allows private capital providers to fund certain property improvements or new construction, or to reimburse or refinance eligible projects, by issuing a C-PACE loan secured by a voluntary special assessment lien against the property subject to the loan.
Through C-PACE funding, building owners can finance the installation of large-scale projects, like energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, resiliency, and stormwater management improvements with minimal initial capital outlays, preserving cash flow and producing operational savings. All commercial properties, excluding condos and multifamily residential with five units or fewer, are eligible for this program.
On May 6, OEEC staff and HomeWise volunteers participated in the Culmore Community Day, passing out over 100 bags of home-energy-savings gear and raffling off 3 smart power strips!
The family-friendly event was held at Woodrow Wilson Library in Falls Church and celebrated the community’s diverse culture through exhibits, food, live music and performances. A special thank you to Dominion Energy and Fairfax County Department of Family Services for partnering with us to share information with residents on home energy efficiency and the Energy Assistance Program.
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More than 20 volunteers equipped with shovels, gardening tools and gloves recently convened at the Herrity Building for a weeding and planting party organized by the Fairfax Employees for Environmental Excellence (FEEE).
Participants helped remove invasive plants and weeds, transplant native species and otherwise beautify the garden beds and planters around the building’s entrance and walkways. The Herrity Building is home to the county’s Department of Planning and Development, Park Authority, and Land Development Services. And the gardening event is generally held twice a year, in spring and fall.
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The best way to minimize waste is to create less of it in the first place! That’s the concept behind the Fairfax County Government and Schools Zero Waste plan, which aims to reduce the amount of solid waste generated by county operations and to divert that waste from landfills and incinerators.
Since implementation started in September 2022, the program has been working to minimize solid waste in county facilities to close to nothing and to do so through a holistic approach: by rethinking not only how we dispose of materials, but also what we use and how we use it.
Moving toward zero waste has social and environmental impacts. By reducing consumption, reusing as much as possible, and recycling so that waste can be made into new products, positive impacts can be far-reaching. Every employee, business partner, or user of a county facility has a role to play in creating a Zero Waste future.
The Zero Waste program is now launching a network of Zero Waste Champions across departments to educate and engage with colleagues, identify opportunities to prevent and divert waste, and measure progress. While the Zero Waste program currently focuses on municipal operations, it is aligned with the goals of the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP).
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Bike to Work Day was held across the region on May 19 to celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work (or the transit station).
People biking in Fairfax County were able to stop by one of the many pit stops for refreshments and giveaways, including one at the Government Center. There was a total of 130 participants – about half of them first-timers – at the 7 county-hosted pit stops, said Nicole Wynands, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planner with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. Overall, the event sees around 15,000 riders in the DC area each year.
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No compost bin at home? No problem! Each of the Park Authority’s 10 Farmers Markets now includes food scrap disposal sites, where customers can dispose of food waste to be composted. This expansion is the result of a highly successful pilot program that experienced strong customer support in 2022.
Composting is the natural process by which organic waste – anything derived from animal or plant sources – is broken down into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. By composting your food scraps and yard waste, you can help prevent harmful greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere. It is a powerful way to reduce waste, combat climate change, and create healthier soil.
The Farmer’s Market Drop off sites are for food scraps only and only available during market hours. To find a Park Authority Farmers Market near you, visit the Farmers Market webpage. The county’s public works team also accepts food scraps for composting at the I-95 Landfill Complex and the I-66 Transfer Station. Learn more about the who, what, when, where and why of composting at the link below.
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Learn More about the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) leads the county's cross-organizational development and implementation of effective environmental and energy policies, goals, programs and projects. OEEC engages county departments, authorities, businesses and residents to advance environmental and energy priorities and address community needs. To stay updated, visit our Twitter and Facebook pages.
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