07-02-2025
This month’s issue includes a Sustain Fairfax Challenge tip of the month; extreme heat preparedness; opportunity for early access to the new Fairfax Energy Compass program; results of the Green Your Lawn campaign; Charge Up Fairfax program changes; an Energy Conservation Assistance Program milestone; the Green Business Partners webinar; the 2025 Environmental Excellence Award nominations; Hunt Elementary School’s Green Guardians program; a solar project at I-95 Landfill; a primer on Virtual Power Purchase Agreements; a one-year anniversary for the Monument Garage; Metro’s New Bus Network; a Unified Sanitation District Proposal; Plastic Free July; the Greatest American Cleanup; Friends of Trees Award nominations; protecting the Chesapeake Bay; a Green Breakfast event in July; and much more!
TAKE ACTION
Sustain Fairfax Challenge Tip of the Month: Wash Clothes Wisely
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What Is It? Efficient laundry practices to save energy, water, and costs, including tips on optimal washing frequency, load sizes, temperature settings, and pre-treatment methods.
What Can You Do? Reduce your environmental impact and save money by adopting efficient laundry practices such as washing only when necessary, filling the washer appropriately, using cold water, setting the machine correctly, and pre-treating stains.
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Taking simple yet impactful steps when doing your laundry can benefit both the environment and your wallet. Consider these tips for washing wisely while saving money!
Reconsider washing clothes after every wear; items like dress shirts, sweaters, and jeans can be worn multiple times before needing a wash unless stained or sweaty, while underwear and workout clothes should be washed after each use.
Washing full but not overly packed loads maximizes energy, water, and cost efficiency, with the washer performing best when loosely filled to about two-thirds or three-fourths its capacity.
Opting for cold water not only reduces energy consumption, as heating water accounts for up to 75% of energy use during washing, but also helps in preserving the color and fit of your clothes, with most detergents being designed to work efficiently in cold water.
Adjust your washer settings appropriately, using the high-spin cycle to minimize drying time, and treat stains before washing for better results without overusing detergent or causing machine issues.
Learn more about saving water and energy with the Sustain Fairfax Challenge.
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Prepare for Extreme Heat This Summer
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What Is It? Fairfax County’s comprehensive heat safety plan includes tips to stay cool, resources for vulnerable populations, locations of official cooling centers, and instructions on signing up for emergency alerts during extreme heat conditions.
What Can You Do? Stay safe and cool during extreme heat by following safety tips, using identified cooling centers, protecting vulnerable populations, and signing up for emergency alerts from Fairfax County. Note: Fairfax County will activate its heat plan when the National Weather Service issues an advisory, watch or warning (usually 24 hours in advance).
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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.
Key tips include staying hydrated, remaining indoors, recognizing heat illness symptoms, and never leaving children, older adults, or pets in cars. Cooling centers are available in libraries, community centers, REC centers, human services regional offices, and homeless shelters. Vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children, and those with medical conditions or working outdoors, require extra precautions.
 Residents can sign up for Fairfax Alerts for emergency updates and access various assistance programs like the Cooling Assistance Program, subsidized transportation, and resources to cope with extreme heat.
For more information, visit the extreme heat webpage and take advantage of services provided by Coordinated Services Planning by calling 703-222-0880.
Know Who to Contact During a Power Outage
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What Is It? Guidance on how to report power outages, handle downed trees and power lines, and ensure safety during power-related emergencies in Fairfax County.
What Can You Do? You can report power outages to your utility provider, follow safety steps for dealing with downed trees or power lines, and contact the appropriate authorities or services for assistance depending on the situation.
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Power outages can be annoying when they happen for a short time, but they can be dangerous if they last for days or longer — especially during very cold or hot weather, or for people who need special medical care.
Learn how to report a power outage to your utility provider and who to call about downed trees.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
Share Your Input: Take the Energy Compass Survey for Early Access to Expert Guidance
 Fairfax County will soon launch the Energy Compass program, a free local resource designed to help residents in making their home more comfortable and use less energy. Starting in late summer 2025, the Energy Compass program will provide personalized support through a local energy navigator who will offer expert technical guidance, information on available incentives, and connections to certified contractors.
To ensure the Fairfax Energy Compass program meets the needs of our community, we invite you to fill out our survey and interest form. By completing the 5-minute survey, you can provide valuable input to help tailor the program to your needs and secure an early consultation with the energy navigator when the program launches later this year.
For more information and to complete the survey, please visit the Energy Compass webpage.
Green Your Lawn Campaign Reduces Emissions with Nearly 300 Electric Tool Exchanges
 This spring, the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) teamed up with Clean Air Partners on a Green Your Lawn campaign, emphasizing the detrimental effects of gas-powered lawn tools on local air quality.
Using a gas-powered lawn mower for just one hour produces emissions equivalent to running 11 new cars, while a gas-powered leaf blower emits 300 times more pollutants than a pickup truck. By reducing air pollution from lawn care, the campaign aims to improve community health by decreasing the risk of asthma attacks and heart conditions.
The Green Your Lawn campaign featured several educational and promotional events and an opportunity for residents to exchange their gas-powered lawn equipment for electric alternatives at no cost. Thanks to the campaign's success, nearly 300 electric tools were distributed to Fairfax County residents, contributing to cleaner air and healthier communities.
Charge Up Fairfax Program Expanding: Applications Now Open to Places of Worship and Non-Profit Orgs
The Charge Up Fairfax program is now accepting applications on a rolling basis! The program is designed to help common-interest communities and other organizations install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, improve local air quality and drive us toward a more sustainable future.
This year, the program has introduced three key changes:
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Applications are now being accepted continuously, making it easier than ever to participate.
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Reimbursement grant amounts have been increased, offering greater financial support for those looking to install EV charging stations.
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Eligibility has expanded beyond homeowner and condo owner associations to include places of worship and other non-profit organizations, recognizing their critical role in providing EV charging access to staff and guests while attending services or events.
With these changes, more organizations can now benefit from technical and financial assistance to install EV charging stations.
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Energy Conservation Assistance Program Hits $1 Million Milestone
 OEEC is thrilled to announce that across all Energy Conservation Assistance Program participants applications to date, our community has invested over $1,000,000 in energy efficiency upgrades! This is a tremendous milestone that reflects our community’s collective commitment to a sustainable future.
Nearly 20% of the projects supported by the Energy Conservation Assistance Program are located in areas that have high or very high vulnerability, according to the Fairfax County Vulnerability Index. By focusing our efforts here, we're furthering our equity goals and ensuring that energy efficiency benefits reach those who need it most.
Visit the Energy Conservation Assistance Program webpage to learn more about the program, the eligibility requirements, and the financial assistance available to your organization.
ICYMI: “EVen Now —Going Electric is a Smart Choice” Webinar on Demand!
The Green Business Partners spring webinar explored real-world strategies for electric vehicle adoptions in Fairfax County and how businesses can help drive sustainability and innovation. Thank you to our panelists from E-Motion, EV+, Chargerzilla, and Stantec for sharing their expertise and insights. If you couldn’t join us live, not to worry! You can view the recording on demand.
Green Business Partners is a free recognition program for businesses in Fairfax County that are taking steps to advance sustainability in their operations. The program provides resources, networking opportunities, and recognition for business of all sizes. You can learn more on the Green Business Partners page.
Nominations for 2025 Environmental Excellence Now Open
 Fairfax County is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Environmental Excellence Awards, a prestigious award that recognizes exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship.
Each year the Environmental Excellence Awards honors those who have made significant contributions towards protecting, improving, and educating about the natural world in Fairfax County.
The awards are open to individual residents, organizations, businesses, and county employees whose contributions include:
- Advancing or supporting the county's environmental goals and policies
- Dedicating personal time and expertise beyond their usual fiscal or civic responsibilities
- Demonstrating leadership and serving as role models for others
To be eligible for the 2025 awards, nominees' achievements should be within the period from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, or span multiple years that include a portion of this timeframe.
To submit a nomination, please complete the online form by August 8, 2025.
For more information about the awards and to view past winners, please visit the Environmental Excellence Awards page.
Enviro Champions: Hunt Valley’s Green Guardians Club
The Hunt Valley Elementary School Green Guardians Club serves as an exemplary county model of what it means to “be the change”.
In less than two years, they helped sponsor their school’s annual Earth Day event and started a food share table in their cafeteria. Inspired by a desire to combat hunger and reduce food waste, the Green Guardians raised over $200 for the baskets, shelving, thermometer, and other items needed for the program by selling handmade recycled t-shirt tote bags and recycled paper cards.
Based on this club’s poise, enthusiasm, and dedication to enhancing sustainability in their school and neighborhood, the future of Fairfax County’s environment is in good hands!
Special thanks to the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services for this recognition.
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Here Comes the Sun: Solar Array Project at I-95
 A new solar array, planned for completion in Spring 2026, will cover 37 acres of the closed I-95 landfill, converting previously unusable space into a project that benefits all residents. The concept began taking shape in 2020 with the enactment of the Solar Freedom Act, which expanded access to renewable sources of energy for residents and businesses in Virginia, and included specific language allowing the county to pursue this large solar installation.
As the project progressed, the county entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with the solar developer, Madison Energy Infrastructure. The county will pay Madison for the energy produced over the term of a 30-year agreement, while Dominion Energy credits county accounts for the energy provided by Madison. This kind of transaction is called virtual net metering.
Watch a video of the groundbreaking event on June 18 and listen to the latest EnviroPod to learn more about the project from OEEC Director John Morrill and Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Deputy Director Eric Forbes.
Fairfax County's Plan to Go Green: How Virtual Power Purchase Agreements Could Help
Fairfax County is making strides to reach its goal of getting 25 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but putting solar arrays on government buildings alone won’t get us there. That’s why the county is considering a new way to buy renewable power – through a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA).
Read our latest post on the Climate Matters Blog to learn more about where the county government uses electricity, how a VPPA works, and how this approach could help satisfy the county’s goal for renewable power.
Celebrating Monument Garage’s One Year Anniversary
Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation recently recognized the one-year service anniversary of the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage, a state-of-the-art transit facility designed to support multimodal travel – including bus service, biking, walking and ridesharing. The project helps reduce traffic congestion along the I-66 corridor and supports the county’s climate goals.
Located at the Government Center Parkway intersection next to Fairfax Corner, design and construction on the facility incorporated eco-friendly features such as LED lighting, a smart ventilation system, and a solar array capable of providing all the building’s electricity needs. Electric vehicle charging stations will also be installed soon.
Four Reasons Why 2025 is the Year for Going Solar
The window for going solar with Solarize Virginia is closing fast. With just two weeks left in the campaign (ending July 15th), this is the final chance to take advantage of the discounted rates, trusted local installers, and the expert guidance they provide.
Federal incentives like a 30% solar tax credit could be going away sooner than expected, which means 2025 could be the last year you can take full advantage of these savings. Learn more about why 2025 is the Year for Going Solar on our Climate Matters Blog.
Fairfax County Achieves 95% LED Streetlight Conversion, Advancing Energy Efficiency Goals
 Fairfax County continues to light the way in converting existing streetlights to more energy- efficient LEDs.
Dominion Energy installs, owns, operates and maintains most of the nearly 60,000 streetlights in Fairfax County. A regional agreement reached in 2018 makes transitioning to LEDs less expensive for local governments and offers more options in the future.
To date, $9 million has been allocated to support an LED streetlight conversion plan. The goal of the plan was to convert more than 58,000 existing mercury vapor, high pressure sodium, and metal halide fixtures to LED streetlights, which are more efficient. As of June 2025, approximately 95 percent, or 55,600 streetlights have been converted to LED with another 2,500 streetlight conversions in Dominion’s queue to convert.
The county’s shift to LEDs on the street complements its efforts inside its own buildings. As part of the Operational Energy Strategy, the county is installing LEDs in county facilities, helping to reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions. In total, the county government consumed over 220 million kilowatt hours in fiscal year 2024, down from over 260 million kWh in FY2018.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Board Approves Grant Funding for Hybrid Buses and EV Charging Stations to Advance Sustainability and Equity Goals
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently took action to accept grant funding for two key initiatives that advance the county's climate action and fleet electrification goals:
- $50.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase up to 60 hybrid-electric replacement buses for Fairfax Connector. Connector's proposed bus replacement program seeks to retire aging vehicles and replace them with hybrid-electric buses, aligning with the county’s commitment to sustainability and equity improving air quality, reducing noise pollution, and contributing to healthier, quieter neighborhoods.
- $2.52 million from the Federal Highway Administration's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, along with a $630,000 local match, to install electric vehicle charging stations at 25 county-owned facilities, prioritizing underserved communities. The award is part of a larger $3.9 million grant to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to build a robust and equitable electric vehicle charging network across the region.
Visit the Operational Energy Strategy page to learn more about county's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower utility and fuel costs and promote a more sustainable future.
Metro’s New Better Bus Network is Here!
Better Bus is Metro’s initiative to improve regional bus service. After two years of research, planning, and outreach, Metro launched its new bus network on June 28, 2025 — the first major overhaul in 50 years!
This transformative initiative will deliver more frequent, reliable, and user-friendly bus service to communities across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, aligning with the region’s evolving travel needs.
The network was developed to:
- Better connect people to where they want to go
- Provide more frequent, consistent bus service
- Advance access to opportunity for Equity Focus Communities
- Make bus service easier to understand
- Prepare the community for the future
Visit the website to learn more and find your new route.
WASTE REDUCTION
Exploring Potential Changes to Trash and Recycling in Fairfax County: 5 Things to Know
 Fairfax County residents will have more time to learn about a proposal to change how the county could manage trash and recycling collection in residential neighborhoods. The Board of Supervisors will delay a vote that was scheduled for June 24 on the proposal until October 14, giving the community more time to review and provide feedback.
The county is reviewing how residential trash and recycling collection is managed, with the objective of improving service, increasing oversight and reducing wear and tear on neighborhood streets. A proposal under consideration would shift trash and recycling contracts to county management, replacing the current system where each household or HOA arranges its own service. This approach is called a Unified Sanitation District. If approved, the change would take effect no earlier than 2030, following a five-year notice period mandated by state law.
Visit county NewsCenter for five key things to know about the proposal.
Reach for Reusables at the Farmers Markets for Plastic Free July
Submitted by Clean Fairfax
Friends, it is Plastic Free July, a perfect time to shake up your habits and challenge yourself to skip single-use plastic bags and swap them for durable reusable bags.
All ten of the Fairfax County’s Farmers Markets are plastic bag-free this year. Help out your local farmers and vendors by remembering your own shopping bags AND your own reusable produce bags. You can get a free “No Thanks, I Don’t Need a Bag” button at the market manager’s tent.
Single use plastic shopping bags have an average useful life of under 15 minutes, and they are one of the most littered items that pollute our environment. Never fully decomposing, they break up into small pieces of microplastic that enter the food chain and harm our health. And those plastic produce bags on a roll? Even flimsier, and often unnecessary. Compostable BioBags you might get at a farmers market only fulfill their promise if you actually bring them back to be composted at the market. Reusable mesh produce bags are washable–and pro tip: you can rinse your fruits and vegetables right in the bag! This July, make the switch and say “No thanks, I have a bag!” and say yes to reusables.
Clean Fairfax encourages environmental stewardship and urban sustainability in Fairfax County, Va. through education, programming and community involvement. Learn more on our website at www.cleanfairfax.org and follow us on social media: IG/X: @CleanFairfax and FB: @CleanFairfaxCouncil.
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Bag Tax Generates $7.7 Million for Environmental Programs, Reduces Bag Usage by 3.4 Million
Since it went into effect in January 2022, the Disposable Plastic Bag Tax has generated over $7.7 million in revenue to support environmental education programs, pollution and litter mitigation and cleanup efforts, and the distribution of reusable bags to residents in need. Over 3.4 million fewer bags have been used since the tax went into effect.
County Kicks Off Greatest American Cleanup on July 3rd, Joining National Effort to Beautify Communities
Fairfax County is joining the yearlong Greatest American Cleanup and has designated July 3rd to be the official kickoff day for the effort.
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit that was established in 1953 with the mission to spark action and pride in the places we call home. To help the nation look its best for next year’s 250th anniversary, Keep America Beautiful launched the Greatest American Cleanup, the largest cleanup and beautification effort in U.S. history. Its goal is to remove 25 billion pieces of litter and beautify 25,000 communities in the lead-up to the Semi-quincentennial.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Tree Commission Seeks “Friends of Trees Award” Nominations
 The Fairfax County Tree Commission is accepting nominations for its 2024-2025 Friends of Trees Awards through July 31.
Individuals and organizations may be nominated, or self-nominated, for various tree-related projects or programs that have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions to preserve, protect, or plant trees. Winners will be announced in the fall followed by recognition from the Board of Supervisors and a celebration.
Learn How to Protect the Chesapeake Bay if You Live Near a River, Stream or Shoreline
 The Chesapeake Bay, one of the world's most productive coastal water bodies, benefits from protective measures implemented by Fairfax County through the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance (CBPO) established in 1993.
These Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) are designated to preserve environmentally sensitive zones, and a recent amendment to the CBPO includes provisions to address coastal resilience and adaptation to sea level rise. This ensures that land development in RPAs now factors in climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and storm surges, aligning with state legislation and the county's Resilient Fairfax plan. Notably, the Potomac River's water level has risen over 13 inches since 1920, with projections indicating an additional rise of 1 to 3.5 feet by 2050.
To support efforts in maintaining the health of the Chesapeake Bay, individuals can participate in the Fairfax County Restoration Project, a collaborative initiative involving private businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and concerned citizens. Additionally, numerous events and activities aimed at protecting the bay are available through the Chesapeake Bay Program website, offering various opportunities for community involvement in environmental preservation.
Mapping a Conservation Vision for Northern Virginia
 Northern Virginia continues to develop at a rapid pace, and with this comes the ever-increasing challenge of saving our critical natural, watershed, scenic and historic resources while we can.
What are the most important places left to protect, and how can we knit them together? The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust has been working on that question in creating its first-ever regional Strategic Conservation Plan. Come hear Conservation Director Matt Gerhart describe what went into the process and where it can lead us at a virtual Green Breakfast event on July 12.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District facilitates these bi-monthly events to discuss environmental topics in a casual setting on a Saturday morning. Virtual Green Breakfasts are hosted on Microsoft Teams. In-person Green Breakfasts are held at Ornery Public House, 3950 University Drive. You can view past events on the Green Breakfast YouTube playlist.
More Environmental, Climate, and Energy News Online
The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination's monthly "Environmental, Climate, and Energy" e-newsletter is dedicated to providing you with the latest news and updates on climate action plans, programs and policies. To see past issues of this newsletter, visit our website!
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