07-02-2024
This month’s issue includes a spotlight on June outreach events; creation of a new residential energy program; a grant to support resiliency at manufactured housing communities; a Personal Climate Action webinar; the last call for the summer 2024 Solar Switch campaign; new additions to the Green Business Partners program; the new Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center; a pilot program to repurpose latex paint; participating in Plastic Free July; a Green Breakfast webinar on native trees; preparing for extreme heat and severe storms; tips for safely navigating a power outage; and much more.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
County Seeks Easier, Faster and More Affordable Home Energy Solutions
 With a goal of making it easier, faster, and more affordable for residents to make home energy improvements that can lower emissions, the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) is working on a new initiative to support residential clean energy projects.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently approved reallocating about $639K in funds that had been allocated for a green bank to support a new residential clean energy pilot program.
At the Board’s Environmental Committee (BOSEC) meeting on May 14, staff from OEEC proposed a shift in approach that focuses on enhanced outreach, education, and technical guidance for residents using credible third-party vendors – a need that has been voiced by residents. This kind of market support would have been an essential aspect of early green bank work.
This pilot program will support the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) goal of reducing emissions from existing buildings and retrofitting at least 100,000 housing units with energy efficiency measures by 2030. While the county works to define the scope of the program, staff will continue to monitor regional, state, and national green bank developments and funding opportunities.
“I look forward to our pilot program, Electrify Fairfax, to empower residents with resources and educational materials for home energy improvements,” said BOSEC Chair and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw. “Whether it’s making energy efficiency improvements, installing solar energy systems, or converting appliances from natural gas to electricity, every change contributes to reducing our individual environmental impacts.”
County Seeking Grant to Support Resiliency Measures for Mobile Home Parks
Manufactured Housing Communities (MHCs), also known as mobile home parks, are especially vulnerable to the “warmer, wetter, and weirder” conditions we are facing in Fairfax County. This is especially true for the communities located in floodplains, such as Audubon and Harmony Place in the Hybla Valley area.
Fairfax County is home to eight manufactured-housing communities, which are located in several magisterial districts. To help these communities, the county is applying for a $39.5 million federal grant called the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) Main Competition from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If awarded, the county proposes to use the funding for flooding, heat, and wind resilience strategies, in addition to infrastructure assessments and improvements, rehabilitation and replacement of homes, land acquisition to avoid displacement of residents, supportive services, and planning and regulatory activities.
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The county will be submitting the application in July and expects to be notified about whether it was awarded the funding this fall. In addition to the PRICE grant, county agencies and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk’s office are seeking to improve quality of life and climate resilience of MHCs in collaboration with Opportunity Neighborhoods, associated community-based organizations, and other partners. Infrastructure upgrades supported by grant opportunities are among the many ways that Fairfax County is adapting and building resilience to a changing climate.
To learn more about climate adaptation and resilience in Fairfax County, visit Resilient Fairfax.
Tune in for “Personal Climate Action” Webinar on July 16
Join OEEC on July 16 at 6:30 p.m. ET for “Personal Climate Action: A Carbon-Free Fairfax Webinar” to learn about ways you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint and adapt to changing climate conditions. Register above to receive a reminder email the day of the livestream.
The webinar will be livestreamed on Fairfax County’s YouTube channel as well as OEEC’s Facebook page. It will also be immediately available on YouTube to watch the replay after the livestream.
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County Conversation Podcast Highlights Progress on Operational Energy Strategy
On the latest episode of the County Conversation podcast, host Jim Person talked with OEEC’s Kevin Smith about the county’s efforts to lower carbon emissions and save money on fuel and utility costs through its Operational Energy Strategy (OES). Smith has been with OEEC since 2022 serving as the division manager for energy programs, leading the implementation of the OES.
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County.
Green Business Partners Welcomes New Members and Leaders
Fairfax County’s Green Business Partners program recognizes and supports businesses actively engaging in or interested in sustainable business practices that advance climate action and help create a carbon neutral economy.
The program has two different levels of participation: Leaders and Members. An Ally is an organization or company located within or outside of Fairfax County that works directly with businesses in the county to further the mission and vision of the GBP program.
Recently, the program welcomed two new Members, a Leader and an Ally including:
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Groundswell Corporation, McLean, Leader
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Bawadi Restaurant, Falls Church, Member
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Monster Organics, Springfield, Member
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TRC Companies, Richmond, Ally
Visit the Green Business Partners page to see the full membership directory and to learn about the benefits of the program.
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Spotlight on OEEC Outreach: Summer Reading Festival & Fun Around Town
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination had a great time sharing climate action information and energy saving resources at two community events in June. OEEC staff and volunteers loved encouraging young residents to continue their enthusiasm for reading and education at Fairfax Library Foundation’s Children’s Summer Reading Festival at Woodrow Wilson Library on June 15. We were also happy to see the smiling faces at Reston Community Center’s Fun Around Town Event at Hunters Woods Plaza on June 21.
Interested in having us at your next event? Visit our Request a Speaker page to schedule a presentation. For more ways to stay connected, follow us on X, Facebook and read our Climate Matters blog
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FACS Sustainability Champion Awards Honors Climate Advocates
 The Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions’ Sustainability Champions Awards celebrates and recognizes Northern Virginia-based individuals, faith communities, community groups, elected officials, public sector employees, and businesses with an unwavering dedication for supporting environmental sustainability, advocating for climate-friendly policies, and/or contributing to healthy, livable communities. The “2024-Power the Future Award” recipients were honored at a ceremony on June 6.
Congratulations to all the winners, including Mala Persaud, owner of the Trace-The Zero Waste Store, a Leader in the Green Business Partners program.
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Community Orgs Can Apply for Funding to Support Energy Projects
Is your homeowners association, nonprofit organization, or place of worship looking to make the buildings and grounds more energy efficient and resilient to climate change? The Energy Conservation Assistance Program can help.
Through the program, qualifying organizations in Fairfax County can apply for up to $15,000 each year in reimbursement grants for energy audits, improvements to make buildings more energy efficient, installing solar panels or cool roofs, LED lighting and ENERGY STAR® appliance upgrades, and more.
Projects must be approved for reimbursement prior to being completed or purchased. Reimbursement grants will not be given to projects retroactively.
Visit the Energy Conservation Assistance Program page to see if your organization is eligible to receive financial support to make energy efficiency and resiliency upgrades!
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Take the Two-Degree Challenge to Save on Cooling Costs this Summer
By turning down your thermostat just a couple of degrees in winter you can save energy and money. And guess what: the same strategy applies in summer.
You can keep your house warmer when you’re away and adjust your thermostat to a temperature as high as comfortable for you when you are home and using other cooling measures. That will save energy — and money —on air conditioning costs.
Read our article on why it’s worth challenging yourself to adjust your thermostat up by a couple degrees (if you please).
Last Chance to Save with Capital Area Solar Switch!
There are only a few weeks left to join the Capital Area Solar Switch summer 2024 campaign to get a quality rooftop solar installation at a discounted price.
Capital Area Solar Switch takes advantage of group-buying power and Solar United Neighbors’ expertise to take the guesswork out of going solar. By signing up, residents can receive a free assessment and quote from a qualified solar installer, and a guaranteed discounted price, with no obligation to move forward with a solar installation. The sign-up period for Solar Switch ends July 24.
A huge thank you to the sun-sational residents who came out to our Fairfax County Solar Switch Solar 101 event on June 11 at Kings Park Library. Special thanks to our Solar United Neighbors cohosts, Aaron and Brandon, for helping us make this event a success.
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Future Looks Bright for Fairfax Couple Who Made the Switch to Solar
Johnny and Joanna Wen are helping lead a solar revolution in their Fairfax County neighborhood. The couple switched to renewable energy in 2019 and now more than seven of their neighbors have gone solar too.
Read our interview with the Wens on the Climate Matters Blog to see how they continue to look for ways to reduce their energy use at home, and how you can join them in becoming a climate champion!
Proposed Data Center Regulations Up for Review
Fairfax County is proposing updates to regulations on data centers, introducing new guidelines on noise, building design and setbacks.
A public hearing for these changes to the Zoning Ordinance was held with the Planning Commission on June 5 and now the proposed changes will go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 16.
Visit the Data Centers project website to review the draft text, get meeting details and see additional project information.
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SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Fairfax County Unveils Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center
Fairfax County recently celebrated the opening of the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance transit accessibility and convenience for county residents. Located at the Government Center Parkway intersection next to Fairfax Corner, the new transit center features 8 bus bays, over 820 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks, and a secure bike room. This facility will serve as a vital hub, connecting commuters to key destinations via Fairfax Connector and other regional transit services.
Green features like LED lighting with sensors will help reduce energy consumption, and the building will be equipped with solar panels by the end of the year.
The project aligns with Fairfax Connector's new bus service proposals in the I-66 corridor, aiming to improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion in Fairfax County.
Electric Vehicle Drivers Can Estimate Their Personalized Fuel Savings with New Argonne Tool
A new tool launched by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory enables drivers to estimate, at the ZIP code level, how much they save on fuel costs by driving a plug-in electric vehicle (either a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV)).
The tool, Driving Electric: Local Fuel Savings Calculator, is freely available to the public. Drivers can enter their ZIP code or state, as well as any information they have about their vehicle size, model year, tank size, fuel economy and annual mileage. The tool then generates estimates of how much drivers can save.
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Richmond Highway BRT Project to Enter Engineering Phase
 The federal government has approved the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project to enter the Engineering Phase.
The BRT system features a 7.4-mile dedicated bus lane from Huntington Metro Station to Fort Belvoir, aiming to improve transit frequency and reliability, and reduce traffic congestion. Expected to be operational by late 2031 with an estimated cost of $937 million, the project includes nine stations, in addition to pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
WASTE REDUCTION
Be Part of the Solution to Plastic Pollution in July and Beyond
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The Plastic Free July® (PFJ) campaign invites millions around the globe to be a part of the solution to plastic pollution, and Clean Fairfax encourages you to join the movement.
Read our latest blog post to learn more about small steps you can take that can make a big difference – including how to shop more sustainably at the county’s farmers markets.
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New Solid Waste Plan in the Works to Meet CECAP Goal
Did you know the average Fairfax County resident generates about one ton of trash per year (or 5 pounds a day), and that’s expected to trend upwards as the population increases?
Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is developing a new 20-year plan for managing solid waste that is due to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality by next April.
Overall, the county produces roughly 1.2 million tons of trash every year, processing about 630,000 tons as municipal solid waste. Currently, about 43.9% of waste is diverted from incineration. The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) has set a goal of 90% diversion by 2040.
At the May 14 meeting of the Board of Supervisors Environmental Committee (BOSEC), staff from DPWES discussed several “transformational zero waste strategies” to help reach the goal, including:
- Education, engagement, evaluation and enforcement
- Unified sanitation districts
- Mandatory recycling and composting
- “Pay as you throw”
- Comprehensive programs for commercial and multi-family properties
- Zero waste centers
DPWES is analyzing the strategies for cost, diversion impact and equity and will be launching a public input campaign later this summer.
View the May 14 BOSEC meeting to learn more about the new solid waste plan.
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Fairfax County Launches Pilot Program to Repurpose Latex Paint and Promote Job Training
A pilot program aimed at reducing the amount of latex paint entering the waste stream has been initiated by Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, in collaboration with Operation Stream Shield (OSS) and the Washington, D.C. based-Pangea Markets, an organization dedicated to sustainability.
“We aim to recover up to 85% of the latex paint generated in Fairfax County, which amounts to approximately 2 million pounds annually,” said Daniel Brooks, Assistant Complex Manager at the I-66 Transfer Station and the program innovator. The paint will be repurposed, providing job training opportunities for OSS participants, then packaged and shipped to Honduras for reuse, supporting global sustainability efforts. The program aligns with Fairfax County’s Zero-Waste initiative and promotes green job creation.
This 12-month pilot program is a significant step towards Fairfax County’s sustainability and community support goals. If successful, it may expand to other locations, further advancing the county’s zero-waste efforts.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
ICYMI: Green Breakfast Webinar on Importance of Native Trees
A recent Green Breakfast event featured a conversation on climate change, the insect apocalypse, and bird decline, and how native trees affect these issues. Watch the recording of the webinar with retired Virginia Department of Forestry Urban Forest Conservationist Jim McGlone.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District facilitates these bi-monthly virtual meetings on Saturday mornings to discuss environmental topics in a casual setting. No prior registration is required. Be sure to sign up for their Green Breakfast newsletter to receive links to recorded webinars and to learn about upcoming events.
The next event is July 13.
Nomination Period Now Open for Friends of Trees Awards
The nomination period for the 2023-24 Friends of Trees Awards is open through Wednesday, July 31, and winners will be announced later this fall.
The Fairfax County Tree Commission holds the Friends of Trees Awards every year to recognize individuals, organizations and developers for various tree related projects or programs that have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions to preserve, protect or plant trees.
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TAKE ACTION
Be Prepared for Extreme Heat this Summer
Summer is here, which means we will be feeling the heat for the next few months. On extremely hot days, it's important to stay cool and safe.
Check out News Center for tips to do just that, including where to go if you need a place to hang out inside, and information about cooling assistance programs.
Brace Yourself for Tornado and Hurricane Season
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be an active one, according to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA forecasts a range of 17 to 25 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) with 8 to 13 of those predicted to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).
Although residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts are typically at greatest risk from hurricanes, inland areas like Fairfax County and Northern Virginia can also experience significant potential threat.
And while tornadoes are most common in the central and southeastern parts of the country, Virginia has seen its fair share of twisters too. In fact over the last decade, Virginia has averaged 24 tornadoes per year. With climate projections indicating more frequent severe weather on the horizon, it’s critical that we think about both hurricane and tornado preparedness.
You can read about the ways to stay safe this hurricane season on the county’s Emergency Information Blog. The county’s guide to tornado preparedness outlines what to do when Fairfax County is under a tornado watch or warning in the future.
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Plan for Possible Power Outages
Summer may best be known for lounging poolside, family vacations, and neighborhood barbeques, but there's a darker side to summer, too — electric grid blackouts and brownouts.
Here are a few tips from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Site on how you can prepare your home and office to safely navigate a power outage:
- Keep a flashlight in each room of your house and in your office. Keep plenty of batteries on hand, too, or consider light sticks or a motion powered flashlight that does not need batteries.
- Keep candles and/or oil lamps on hand for light. Don't forget matches! Also, do not light candles and/or oil lamps if there is a possibility of a gas leak in your home.
- Keep the emergency number for your electric utility handy in case you need to call.
- Keep an ice chest readily available to store medications that must remain cold. Store ice packs in your freezer and ready for the ice chest.
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