08-01-2024
This month’s issue includes an emergency cooling assistance initiative at a local mobile home park; new Charge Up Fairfax communities; OEEC Deputy Director position; a Green Business Partners Leader Spotlight; the Personal Climate Action webinar; county energy performance projects in Reston and Oakmont; a solar installation at the Newington Collections facility; the Energy Conservation Assistance Program; solar projects at Fairfax County Public Schools; a new Springfield Multi-Use Parking Garage; federal funding for low-emission Connector buses; new posts on the Climate Matters blog; sustainable summer picnics and barbecues; a youth conservation poster contest; tracking climate action; the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday; and much more.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
County Agencies and Partners Rally to Address Climate Emergency at Harmony Place
During this summer of persistent extreme heat, Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) and a network of interagency partners, local non-profits, generous residents, and volunteers, worked together to bring relief to residents of Harmony Place Mobile Home Park who were without sufficient air conditioning (AC), or no AC at all. This effort to “fill the gap” and enhance access to extreme heat-related services is in alignment with the county’s Resilient Fairfax Plan.
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Extreme heat is the “silent killer,” and the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States, far outpacing all others. The county administers federally-funded cooling programs that provide financial assistance and cooling equipment repair and installation for eligible residents.
Due to the eligibility criteria for these federal programs, there are residents who do not qualify due to income, age, disability status, or other factors, but would benefit from additional energy assistance.
A few examples of families in this situation included:
- A family with a child whose trailer was over 100 degrees inside on a hot day.
- A family with a pregnant mother and her children who were without AC for over a year.
- An adult male who had no AC at all at home.
Within just a few days of being notified of the urgent situation at Harmony Place, government and non-profit partners across the county came together to create an innovative pilot project to provide window and portable AC units to these families.
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Charge Up Fairfax Welcomes New Communities
Six additional communities have been selected for the Charge Up Fairfax program, an initiative to help community associations install electric vehicle charging stations to be shared by residents and their guests.
The newly-selected communities are:
- Reflection Homes Association (Dranesville District)
- Shepherd Hills Homeowners Association (Mount Vernon District)
- Newbridge Cluster Association (Hunter Mill District)
- Waterview Cluster Association (Hunter Mill District)
- Westwood Village UOA (Hunter Mill District)
- Woodlake Towers Condominium (Mason District)
“Getting more people to switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric and plug-in hybrids is critical to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality,” said OEEC Director John Morrill. “Charge Up Fairfax is helping to expand the local charging infrastructure and to make it easier for residents to choose clean energy vehicles.”
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Job Alert: OEEC Deputy Director
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination is seeking a dynamic leader in the energy, climate and environmental field to join our team as Deputy Director. This position will work closely with the office director, county staff, and community partners to advance climate mitigation, resilience and adaptation, as well as supporting other environmental initiatives.
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Green Business Partners Leader Spotlight: GreenBrilliance
As a Leader in the Green Business Partners program, GreenBrilliance has demonstrated its commitment to clean energy and sustainability through its actions, policies and programs.
Watch our latest video to see how the Herndon-based company has reduced its environmental impact by employing green features like power-saving LED lights with sensors, energy-efficient printers, and electric and hybrid vehicles for transportation, along with other energy saving initiatives.
Ready to join them? Visit the Green Business Partners Program page to learn more and apply.
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ICYMI: “Personal Climate Action” Webinar
On July 16, the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination hosted “Personal Climate Action: A Carbon-Free Fairfax Webinar” to share ways you can save money, reduce your carbon footprint and adapt to changing climate conditions. If you missed it, don’t fret! You can watch the webinar on demand now on the county’s YouTube channel.
It’s a Cruel Summer Indeed – Record-Breaking Heat Waves Explained
![outdoor thermometer showing 100 degrees](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VAFAIRFAXCOUNTY/2024/07/9914070/5609113/istock-1403313886_crop.jpg) Summer 2024 has delivered sweltering temperatures, a stagnant heat dome, and a series of heat advisories, and we’re not even halfway through. Check out our latest post on the Climate Matters blog to learn more about the relationship between this record-breaking weather and climate change, and how you can prepare to adapt now for the future.
DPWES Releases 2024 Floodplain Management Plan
Climate change continues to exacerbate flooding impacts, including here in Fairfax County. Weather-related flooding is already the most common and costly natural disaster across the United States.
Fairfax County continues its efforts to mitigate flooding problems for residents through the latest Floodplain Management Plan (FMP). The current plan, recently released by the DPWES Stormwater Management Program, provides an annual update on the implementation of flood mitigation actions and is a key requirement for the county’s participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS).
The Floodplain Management Plan, part of the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan, outlines 30 actions Fairfax County is implementing to mitigate flooding.
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BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Energy Projects Reduce County Emissions and Operating Costs
To reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs, Fairfax County is making energy efficiency an integral part of its facility management, capital improvement and renovation projects, including deep energy retrofits when possible.
These investments support the Operational Energy Strategy which has a goal of achieving carbon neutrality in county operations by 2040.
Through its energy performance contracting program, the county is identifying high-impact, energy-saving projects such as upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, updating building automation & controls, improving water efficiency, installing solar photovoltaic systems, and where possible, replacing natural gas equipment with high-efficiency electric alternatives like heat pumps.
The first energy performance projects were completed in 2022 and more are in-progress, including work underway at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods and Oakmont Rec Center. As of early 2024, the county’s energy performance projects have resulted in annual avoided utility costs in excess of $471,000, and more than 900 tons of carbon emissions avoided, which are the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
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DPWES Goes Solar on Roof at Newington Facility
A rooftop solar system that will save energy costs and reduce carbon emissions the same amount per year as recycling the contents of nearly five garbage trucks full of waste has been installed by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at its Newington Collections Facility in Lorton.
The 150-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array is the first on a DPWES facility but represents another step in achieving the Fairfax County’s Operational Energy Strategy. The project is being installed using funds dedicated to advancing solar at County facilities and will cost $543,000 but is expected to generate more than $19,000 in savings annually. It also is eligible for a federal tax credit and should generate savings to offset the cost within 19 years.
“Solar isn’t just a reliable source of energy – it’s better for the environment and for our operating budget,” said Eric Forbes, Deputy Director for DPWES Solid Waste Management. “The energy from these solar panels will provide nearly 76% of the building’s power needs and reduce the carbon emissions by 91 metric tons. That’s the equivalent of removing 22 cars off the road. Or in our case, it’s the same as recycling 32 tons of trash instead of taking it to a landfill.”
Energy Conservation Program Supports $784K in Improvements
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program started in fiscal year 2016 and has approved nearly $116,000 in grants in support of 23 energy projects either completed or in progress, as of July 2024.
In total, these projects resulted in nearly $784,000 worth of efficiency upgrades for properties maintained by community organizations, nonprofits and places of worship. A few of the recent projects include energy audits at:
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Annandale United Methodist Church, Braddock District: $6,908 grant
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Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence, Springfield District: $3,750 grant
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Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Mount Vernon District: $2,902 grant
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Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mason District: $3,750 grant
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? Consider applying to the Energy Conservation Assistance Program today!
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FCPS Approves Solar Panel Installations for 9 Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has entered into a solar power purchasing agreement, or PPA, with a local solar developer to outfit nine elementary schools across the county with solar photovoltaic arrays.
Under the agreement, Charlottesville-based Sun Tribe Solar will design, engineer, finance and install under 250-kW solar panels at: Annandale Terrace, Cherry Run, Franklin Sherman, Lutie Lewis Coates, Mount Vernon Woods, Newington Forest, Olde Creek, Silverbrook and Waynewood elementary schools.
FCPS will purchase the solar power generated by the solar arrays instead of buying electricity generated from non-renewable sources.
Expected to reduce annual energy costs by about $190,000, or nearly $4.74 million over the panels’ 25-year lifespan, the agreement advances FCPS’ efforts to become carbon neutral by 2040. Fairfax County has the same goal for its operations.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
New Springfield Multi-Use Parking Garage Opening Soon
A ribbon-cutting to celebrate the new state-of-the-art Springfield Community Business Center Commuter Parking Garage will occur on September 5. The Springfield Multi-Use Parking Garage is a six-level structure that will include more than 1,000 parking spaces, a bus transit center with seven bays, secure bicycle storage, dedicated lanes for ridesharing (“slug”), and a pedestrian bridge across Old Keene Mill Road.
Green features of the facility will include solar panels to reduce energy consumption, glass walls, and vegetated green walls.
Fairfax County Awarded $50.5 Million for New Low Emission Buses
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) recently announced that it was awarded $50.5 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase new low emission, diesel-electric hybrid buses.
This significant investment will enable FCDOT to replace older buses as part of its ongoing fleet replacement plan, improving the efficiency and sustainability of public transportation in Fairfax County.
This funding is part of FTA's broader initiative, which includes approximately $1.5 billion in awards to support 117 projects aimed at enhancing public transportation across 47 states. Fairfax County was the only one selected within the Commonwealth.
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DOT Division Chief Discusses Bus Service Changes on County Podcast
![county conversation promo graphic](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VAFAIRFAXCOUNTY/2024/08/9917838/featured-image-county-conversation-ccvt-july-2024_original.jpg) Fairfax County recently launched significant changes to Fairfax Connector bus routes in the Centreville-Chantilly-Vienna-Tysons (CCVT) area. These updates, which began on June 22, are part of a larger plan to improve public transportation across the county.
Michael Felschow, transit services division planning section chief with the county’s Department of Transportation, explained the changes in a recent “County Conversation” podcast interview.
WASTE REDUCTION
Repair, Repurpose or Recycle: What to Do About Your Old Appliances
![home appliances](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/VAFAIRFAXCOUNTY/2024/08/9917857/5609079/istock-1345589509_crop.jpg) The average household has more than a dozen appliances. These include big-ticket items like refrigerators, ovens, washers, and dryers, and smaller pieces like microwaves, toasters, and blenders. We tend to take these items for granted as long as they’re working and meeting our needs.
So what should we do when these appliances reach the end of their useful life or are longer needed, even if they still work? Do they have to be discarded and wasted? The answer is a resounding "no!"
Read our recent post on the Climate Matters Blog on ways to ways to responsibly deal with unwanted or outdated appliances.
Rethink and Reuse at Your Next Barbecue with Clean Fairfax
Summer is in full swing, and Clean Fairfax has some ideas for how you can reduce waste by refusing single-use plastics and reusing food serviceware which can help turn off the tap of plastic pollution. Some ideas include:
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Skip the plastic wrap and carry food to your event in a reusable container made of glass, metal, or silicone. Try a bento box, a Mason jar, or Pyrex with a leak-proof lid.
- Instead of those red plastic cups that get used once and then thrown away, ask everyone to bring their own reusable water bottle or mug. Bring along one large container of your beverage of choice and let folks fill their bottle from it, over and over. If you can’t get away from providing cups, take a look at Ball’s aluminum cups - they are reusable and infinitely recyclable.
- You’re probably going to have to carry out a trash bag full of dirty plates, bowls, napkins, and silverware anyway, so why not invest in a reusable service ware that can be washed and reused next time instead of having to buy more? Scrape food scraps into a bag or pail and compost it when you get home.
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Make or buy a set of reusable paper towels or napkins. Check out Virginia Mercantile and Trace - The Zero Waste Store for local sourcing. Did you know that you can learn to sew at NOVALabs, a fun maker-space in Fairfax? You can also rent a sewing machine from JoAnn Fabrics and turn that old flannel sheet into dozens of hemmed reusable cloths!
Don’t get bogged down in sustainable perfectionism — tackle one thing at a time. Habits take effort to change! Enjoy your next al fresco gathering even more knowing that you are doing something positive for the planet.
If you think of it, take a pic and post to social media with the hashtags #TurnOffTheTap and #LitterFreeVA.
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County Opens Survey to Get Input about Proposed Countywide Zero Waste Strategies
Fairfax County approved the Community-Wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) with the goal of achieving zero waste by 2040 by diverting 90% of trash from landfills and incineration. The County is now updating its Solid Waste Management Plan to include actions that can help us reach our zero waste goal.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is requesting feedback from residents on their current trash and recycling practices and their opinion on proposed countywide zero waste strategies through a quick online survey on the Public Input platform.
Survey responses will be summarized and shared with the Board of Supervisors to help inform their review of the draft Solid Waste Management Plan this winter. The survey will be open from August 1 through September 30, 2024.
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Conservation Youth Poster Contest Open until September 27
There’s still time to enter the 2024 Conservation Youth Poster Contest — a national competition sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts and offered locally by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD).
This year’s theme — “May the Forest be With You, Always” — underscores the critical interplay between soil and water conservation and the resilience of our forests.
Local winners receive recognition and a prize from NVSWCD and are forwarded to the state competition. Virginia state winners will advance to the national contest. Poster submission is due by Sept. 27.
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TAKE ACTION
Use Climate Action Checklists to Track Your Carbon Reduction Efforts
Taking climate action doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Fairfax County’s Climate Action Checklist can help you track your progress in adopting sustainable habits and making environmentally conscious choices.
Created by OEEC, the checklist includes more than 70 individual climate actions you can take to help reduce your carbon emissions and build resilience so you can better withstand the impacts of climate change.
Not ready to tackle all 70-plus actions? No problem. To make taking climate action even easier, there are shorter topic-based checklists, all focused on a different theme: Home Energy, Transportation, Waste, Natural Resources, and Resiliency.
Small actions can lead to big changes.
OEEC’s Resources for Residents page includes links to these checklists, available in multiple languages. Download them today and see how everyday actions can help us combat climate change.
Apply for Flood Funding Through Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
County residents, property owners, common interest communities (CIC) and places of worship may now be eligible for financial assistance with their floodproofing and mitigation efforts through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP).
The program took effect on July 1, 2024, through a partnership between the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD). Due to climate change, the county can expect an increase in heavy rainfall events that surpass the capacity of the stormwater management system, which will lead to more flooding. FMAP will be an invaluable resource to many who need assistance to protect their property.
Those who meet eligibility requirements may be reimbursed for 50% of the purchase and installation costs of approved flood reduction practices, up to $5,000 per property. Commercial properties are ineligible for the grant, as are residential properties in the towns of Vienna and Herndon.
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Get Energy Efficient Appliances, Preparedness Gear on Virgina Sales Tax Holiday
Aug. 2-4 marks Virginia’s annual Sales Tax Holiday, offering residents a great opportunity to stock up on essential items without paying Virginia sales tax. The list of items includes a wide range of hurricane and emergency preparedness items as well as Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products. The tax exemption also applies to school supplies, clothing, and footwear.
Savings are applied when you shop online, in-store, or by mail or phone.
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Invite OEEC to Your Next Event
Are you interested in learning more about what Fairfax County is doing to lower carbon emissions and build resilience to climate change and how your organization or community group can support these efforts?
OEEC has passionate and knowledgeable experts who can speak on topics like personal climate action, home energy use, and electric vehicles, as well as the county’s climate action plans. We also table at community events to spread the word about sustainability.
To request a speaker or resource table for your meeting or event, please complete our online request form. Requests should be submitted no less than 4 weeks in advance of the scheduled event, whenever possible
Visit our Request a Speaker page to submit your request.
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