1-06-2026
 This month’s issue includes a Sustain Fairfax Challenge tip of the month; Virginia Green Travel; a Green Business Partners Social recap; Fairfax Energy Compass; Plan Forward updates; OEEC Spring Internship opportunity; COG’s Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee; Heat Pumps explained; a deep dive on Energy Audits; momentum for DMVMoves; updates to the Route 50 Trails; the Transportation Achievement Award nominations; Book and Textile Recycling; resources for Living Shorelines; a Fairfax County Trees Community of Practice social gathering; Winter Weather tips; and much more!
TAKE ACTION
Sustain Fairfax Challenge Weatherize and Insulate Attics
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What Is It? A space in your home that is often the largest source of energy loss, requiring air sealing and insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs and improve overall comfort and efficiency.
What Can You Do? You can seal attic air leaks, add insulation, and conduct DIY or professional inspections to reduce energy loss, lower utility bills, and improve home comfort while supporting sustainability efforts.
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Attics are often the biggest source of energy loss in homes, making air sealing and insulation key steps to saving on heating and cooling costs.
Properly insulating your attic can reduce energy bills by up to 30% while creating a more comfortable living environment. Whether you choose a DIY approach or hire a contractor, sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation is an impactful home improvement that helps cut costs, improves efficiency, and supports sustainability. Don't forget to check for rebates to offset project costs.
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If You Go, Go Green: Support Virginia Green Travel
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What Is It? Virginia Green Travel is a statewide initiative that promotes environmentally responsible practices within Virginia’s tourism industry, supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
What Can You Do? You can support certified Virginia Green Travel partners by choosing establishments displaying the Virginia Green logo during your travel, helping promote environmentally friendly practices in Virginia’s tourism.
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Do you love traveling during the winter holiday season but want to reduce your impact on the environment? You can do so simply by supporting certified Virginia Green Travel partners — just look for the Virginia Green logo!
Virginia Green Travel is the state’s initiative to encourage green practices in all aspects of Virginia’s tourism industry. The program is administered through a unique partnership supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
Sustainability Success Shared at Green Business Gathering
 Fairfax County’s Green Business Partners program recently hosted its 2025 Social at Spaces Reston Station, bringing together 60 attendees, including program members, community allies, and local leaders. The event celebrated sustainability efforts across the county, highlighted achievements of Pilot participants, and featured inspiring presentations from Sewing Lab, Monster Organics, and Inova. Sponsored by local businesses including Bawadi Restaurant, Monster Organics, River-Sea Chocolates, Spaces, and Stantec, the gathering emphasized collaboration, innovation, and the critical role of businesses in advancing environmental goals.
This marks another step forward in building a vibrant, green business community in Fairfax County. Thanks to everyone who made the event a success!
Policy Plan Update Approved by Board of Supervisors
 In December the Board of Supervisors approved Phase 1 of the multiyear project, Plan Forward, which focuses on a wholistic update of several topics in the Policy Plan that had not been updated since 1990.
Revisions to the Policy Plan, include updates to modernize countywide land use, transportation, environment, parks and healthy community policies, with equitable development integrated throughout. Community input shaped the updates, and work on Phase 2 will begin in 2026 with more opportunities for public engagement.
Discover Your Path to Energy Savings with Energy Compass Program
Through Fairfax Energy Compass, homeowners can connect with expert energy navigators to get advice on everything from identifying the most effective home upgrades to accessing available rebates, incentives, and qualified contractors.
Whether you’re looking to reduce utility bills, lower your environmental impact, we make it simple to plan home energy upgrades while maximizing both your savings and long-term benefits. Simply call 703-324-3721 or email energycompass@fairfaxcounty.gov to get started.
Take action today — the future of cleaner energy for your home begins with Energy Compass.
Work With Us: OEEC Seeks Spring Intern
 Kick-start your career in environmental and energy coordination with an exciting Spring Internship Opportunity with OEEC.
This internship offers hands-on experience in implementing Fairfax County’s Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan and Resilient Fairfax Climate Adaptation Plan, technical communications, outreach content development, and community engagement. Curious about past interns’ experiences? Read their insightful blogs to learn more: 2023 Intern Blog and 2024 Intern Blog.
Don’t miss this chance to build skills while contributing to meaningful climate action!
COG's Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee Needs YOU!
Looking for a civic-minded activity or effort? How about getting involved in climate, energy, and air quality planning in the D.C. region?
Community leaders and interested citizens from across the metropolitan Washington region are invited to apply for membership on the 2026 Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee (ACPAC) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. ACPAC is a group of 18 individuals representing diverse viewpoints on regional air quality and climate change issues. For 2026, there are ACPAC openings for people living in Washington DC, northern Va., and suburban Md.
To apply, please complete the online interest form by Friday, January 16, 2026.
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Heat Pumps Explained: A Smart Choice for Comfort, Savings and Sustainability
 Heat pumps are an increasingly popular solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change, thanks to their energy efficiency and affordability.
Read our Climate Matters blog post that explores the science behind heat pumps, their evolution, and their wide range of applications in residential and commercial settings. Whether you’re considering replacing your HVAC system or upgrading other appliances, heat pumps are a smart investment in sustainability and a key part of the global push toward renewable energy solutions.
From Audi to Action: Transforming County Buildings Through Energy Savings
Energy audits are a critical step in improving facility efficiency, lowering operational costs, and supporting Fairfax County’s ambitious Operational Energy Strategy (OES) goals of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Read our Climate Matters blog post highlighting how Fairfax County identifies buildings for energy upgrades using the RAC method, collaborates with energy services companies, and implements changes that deliver impressive savings. Through projects like lighting upgrades, HVAC improvements, and enhanced building insulation, energy efficiency initiatives save enough energy to power hundreds of homes annually.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Board Backs Regional Metro Funding Plan for Sustainable Transit
 The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently endorsed the DMVMoves initiative, a regional plan for sustaining and modernizing transit across the National Capital Region.
The plan, jointly developed by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, (MWCOG) outlines a needed $460 million per year starting in 2027, with Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. tasked with determining their individual contributions.
While the package requires additional legislative actions during the upcoming General Assembly session, Fairfax County leaders emphasized regional collaboration and fiscal responsibility in advancing this critical transportation initiative.
Newly Completed Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Boost Connectivity and Safely Along Route 50 in Providence District
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has announced the completion of a series of milestone projects to create a safer, more accessible space for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users along a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 50 from Blake Lane to Prosperity Avenue in the Providence District.
This multi-year, multi-project effort aimed to enhance accessibility and mobility along this corridor for those who walk, jog, bike and roll along the corridor. Improvements include two stream crossings, paved sidewalks, asphalt shared-use paths, improved ADA-compliant curb ramps, safer pedestrian crossings and bus stop pads that connect seamlessly with pedestrian infrastructure.
TAC Seeks Transportation Achievement Award Nominees
The Fairfax County Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) is accepting nominations for its annual Transportation Achievement Award to recognize the most significant contribution of a person or group during calendar year 2025 in advancing or supporting the objectives of county transportation priorities. Nominations are due by close of business on Feb. 13, 2026.
For more details on the evaluation criteria, nomination format, submission requirements, and selection process, visit the TAC webpage.
WASTE REDUCTION
Most Wonderful Time to Recycle
 It’s always a wonderful time to recycle, especially during the holidays when there are usually more items to consider!
Items such as paper holiday cards, gift bags/boxes and electronics are more abundant. There may be more food scraps following large holiday dinners, as well as single-use items like red cups (not recyclable), paper plates and plastic utensils. Fairfax County’s guide will help you navigate all of the opportunities to recycle this holiday season.
Fairfax County Expands Helpsy Textile Recycling Pilot
Due to its popularity, Fairfax County is expanding its textile recycling pilot. Additional Helpsy collection containers are now available at the I-95 Landfill Complex. The expansion follows strong public participation at the original site at the I-66 Transfer Station, where demand quickly exceeded early expectations.
Launched in early 2025 as a pilot, the Helpsy textile collection program provides residents with a convenient way to recycle clothing, footwear, accessories, linens, and other household fabrics. Items dropped off at Helpsy containers are sorted for their highest and best use, including resale, donation, upcycling, or recycling. Nearly all collected materials are reused, helping conserve resources and reducing landfill impacts.
Fairfax County Starts Used Book Reuse and Recycling Program
Fairfax County’s Solid Waste Program has partnered with New Legacy Books to place book collection bins at the I-66 Transfer Station on West Ox road. Hardcover, paperback and textbooks are all accepted. The book recycling bins are located next to the Helpsy textile recycling bins in the residential recycling loop.
The program offers the public a practical way to divert waste and supports the county’s long-term zero waste goal, which aims to divert 90 percent of the overall waste stream away from disposal.
Hear More about Textile and Book Recycling Opportunities
Solid Waste’s Sustainability Manager, Catie Torgersen, was recently interviewed on EnviroPod to talk about Solid Waste initiatives to partner with different organizations so residents can drop off more items for recycling.
NATURAL RESOURCES
 New Webpage Provides Guidance on Installing Living Shorelines
Living shorelines are effective strategies that can be utilized along tidal shorelines, to protect natural resources and minimize negative impacts.
A new webpage on Living Shorelines from Land Development Services provides guidance and resources to support projects involving living shoreline features. The web resource includes a map to identify tidal shorelines in Fairfax County, where living shorelines may be implemented, provides tools to guide designers in decision making, outlines the approval process to obtain necessary permits and approvals from various agencies, and offers contacts for additional support to property owners, designers and contractors pursuing projects involving living shorelines.
Save the Date: Fairfax County Trees Community of Practice Event
Please save the date and join the Fairfax County Trees Community of Practice for insightful discussion and collaboration centered around trees in Fairfax County.
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Lazy Dog, Fair Oaks Shopping Center
The Fairfax County Trees Community of Practice is a dedicated network that brings together community members, stakeholders, and professionals passionate about protecting and enhancing the county's tree canopy. The group focuses on collaboration, education, and resource sharing to advance tree conservation, planting initiatives, and sustainable urban forestry practices across the region. Their work is critical in maintaining Fairfax County’s natural beauty, improving air quality, and ensuring the well-being of future generations.
RESILIENCY
Winter Weather Tips: Stay Safe Warm, and Ready for the Season Ahead
 Winter has officially arrived, and it’s time to make sure your home, vehicle, and family are ready for the season ahead. From inspecting your heating system and roof to stocking emergency kits and preparing your car for icy conditions, taking proactive steps now can help prevent winter hazards.
Fairfax County’s Department of Emergency Management and Security suggests familiarizing yourself with weather alerts, planning for potential power outages, and staying connected through Fairfax County emergency notifications. Don’t forget to check on older neighbors, who may need extra support during the colder months.
By preparing early, you can stay safe, secure, and confident as winter weather approaches.
Don't Be the Last to Know: 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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