07-02-2026
This month’s issue includes the Sustain Fairfax tip of the month; how Fairfax Energy Compass can help residents this summer; the Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest winners; results of the Sustain Fairfax Summer Reading Challenge; powering community energy projects with Charge Up Fairfax and the Energy Conservation Assistance programs; a County Conversation Podcast with the OEEC Director; reflections from OEEC’s spring Intern; Exceptional Design Award submissions; programs to help residents go solar; Fairfax County’s high-impact energy efficiency projects; a Charging Smart Silver designation for Fairfax County; a Guide to Cycling; the Best Workplaces for Commuters; mini grants for invasive plant management; a Native Plant Landscaping Design conference; cooling programs and other tips to beat extreme heat; the ongoing Drought Watch; and much more!
TAKE ACTION
Sustain Fairfax Tip of the Month:
Remember Your Reusable Bags
|
What Is It? It’s a simple, everyday switch from single-use plastic or paper bags to reusable bags to reduce waste, protect wildlife, and cut climate pollution.
What Can You Do? You can choose a few durable reusable bags, keep them handy for every shopping trip, and encourage friends and neighbors to reduce single-use bags in your community.
|
This month we celebrate Plastic Free July with a reminder that plastic bags can take 500–1,000 years to break down, and paper bags require millions of trees to produce.
Switching to reusable bags is a simple way to protect trees and wildlife, cut waste, and reduce emissions — an average household can avoid about 140 pounds of carbon emissions by making this change.
Start by choosing a few durable bags you’ll actually use, and keep them where you’ll remember them (in your car, backpack, or near the door). After each trip, put them back so they’re ready for next time. For even greater impact, talk with neighbors, support local bag fees or bans, and encourage your community to make reusable bags the norm.
|
Make Your Home More Comfortable and Your Bills Lower with Fairfax Energy Compass
|
What Is It? Fairfax Energy Compass is a free county program that helps homeowners plan smart, cost‑effective energy improvements for their homes.
What Can You Do? You can sign up for the program and start taking steps — big or small—to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
|
With energy prices rising and summer heat setting in, many households are feeling the strain on both comfort and utility bills. If your home struggles to stay cool, or your bills seem higher than they should be, this is a good time to consider energy upgrades that can make a noticeable difference.
 Improvements like air sealing, added insulation, high‑efficiency heat pumps, and smart thermostats can help keep your home more comfortable year‑round while lowering your energy use. Over time, these upgrades can pay for themselves through reduced utility costs.
Fairfax Energy Compass is here to help. The program connects homeowners with a trained energy coach who can:
- Review your home’s current energy performance
- Recommend upgrades tailored to your budget and needs
- Point you to available rebates and incentives
- Connect you with qualified local contractors
If you’ve been thinking about improving your home’s comfort and cutting energy costs, now is the perfect time to get started. Sign up on the website for Fairfax Energy Compass, by email at energycompass@fairfaxcounty.gov, or by phone at 703-324-3721.
Want to learn more? Attend a free Intro to Home Energy Efficiency session at Pohick Regional Library on July 15 at 7 p.m. and get the facts on why, how and where to save energy and money this summer.
CLIMATE PLANS AND PROGRAM UPDATES
Student Artists Honored in Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest
 OEEC recently announced the winners of the 2026 Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest, celebrating student creativity and real-world climate action.
This year’s awardees are:
- Shivani, grade 5 – Winner
- Angelina, grade 11 – Winner
- Arya, grade 5 – Honorable Mention
- Arianna, grade 5 – Honorable Mention
Last names and school affiliations are not being published to protect student privacy.
Each student created original artwork reflecting the theme “My Actions, Our Climate,” highlighting climate friendly steps they are taking — such as using clean energy, choosing sustainable transportation, reducing waste, or planting trees — and the positive impacts those actions have on our environment and community.
The contest encouraged students to connect their art to the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, an online platform where residents track and share their climate actions. OEEC congratulates the winners and thanks every student who participated for showing how individual actions can add up to meaningful climate progress in Fairfax County.
Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Reading Challenge Exceeds Expectations
Hundreds of Fairfax County residents celebrated Earth Month through the Sustain Fairfax Beanstack Bingo Reading Challenge, a partnership between Sustain Fairfax and Fairfax County Public Library.
Participants read or listened to books, logged at least 30 minutes of reading, and completed sustainability-focused activities such as joining the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, conserving energy, and reducing waste — earning virtual badges and aiming for “bingo” on a digital board.
The challenge drew 487 registrants, with 290 completing a bingo (a nearly 60% completion rate) and 13 finishing all 25 activities. Dozens of participants also explored county initiatives like the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, the Fairfax Energy Compass program, and Earth Day Fairfax. The Reading Challenge fostered a love of reading while connecting residents to local efforts that support energy conservation, waste reduction, and climate action. Thank you to everyone who participated and to Fairfax County Public Library for helping make this effort a success!
Podcast with OEEC Director Highlights Progress on Climate Action and Clean Energy
 In a recent episode of the County Conversation podcast, OEEC Director John Morrill explains how the office was created in 2019 to coordinate the county’s major climate and energy efforts. He highlights key plans and programs to help people save energy, reduce costs and build a more sustainable and resilient community.
Morrill — who is retiring in August — also shares why he remains optimistic about the “relentless” shift toward clean energy and how Fairfax County can work with partners to align economic growth with its climate goals.
Powering Community Projects: Grants and EV Charging Support for HOAs and Faith Communities
 For community organizations — such as HOAs, civic associations, and faith-based communities — looking for ways to complete energy projects, OEEC offers two programs designed to help: the Energy Conservation Assistance Program and Charge Up Fairfax.
Together, these programs make it easier for community organizations to pursue solar, EV charging, and other energy projects that benefit their members, lower long-term costs, and support countywide climate goals.
Rooted in Sustainability Recap: GBP Gathers to Grow Green Practices
 Fairfax County businesses gathered at Green Spring Gardens on June 25 for Rooted in Sustainability: A Green Business Partners Social, a morning of networking and learning focused on nature-based sustainability practices.
Fairfax County Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez welcomed attendees and highlighted the important role businesses play in advancing communitywide climate goals. Attendees also heard from guest speakers, BXP (GBP Leader) and Clean Fairfax (GBP Ally) who shared their approach and practical examples of nature-based sustainability practices that businesses can implement at their facilities and in business operations. The event provided an opportunity for peer learning, networking, and the exchange of ideas to help businesses advance their sustainability efforts.
Teamwork, Creativity and Community: Inside My Internship with OEEC
George Washington University graduate Sophia Eames spent the spring interning with OEEC and came away with a deeper, hands-on understanding of what it really takes to make a community more sustainable.
From making web content accessible under new ADA rules, to joining engineers on energy audits at Metro facilities, to supporting programs like Charge Up Fairfax and Sustain Fairfax, Sophia saw how climate policy, technical work, and clear public communication all connect. She also shares lessons from engaging residents of all ages at community events and producing behind-the-scenes social media content that brings OEEC’s work to life.
Read Sophia’s full reflection on the Climate Matters Blog to learn how teamwork, creativity, and community engagement drive local climate action in Fairfax County.
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
Exceptional Design Awards Submissions Now Accepted Through July 10
 Fairfax County is accepting submissions for the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards through July 10. Established in 1984, the program honors public and private projects that elevate the experience for site users and visitors while demonstrating design excellence.
Recognized projects typically showcase superior architecture, outstanding site design and landscaping, strong contextual fit with their surroundings, and—importantly—apply energy and water conservation measures and other green building practices. Details on categories, requirements, and how to enter are available on the awards webpage.
Two Solar Group-Purchasing Programs Still Available for Limited Time
Fairfax County residents have two convenient options this summer to explore going solar — a strong long-term investment that can reduce energy costs, increase home value, and add clean energy to the power grid.
Solarize Virginia, a limited-time group purchasing program that connects residents with vetted installers and discounted pricing, is open now but closes on July 15. For the first time, residents who sign up have the option to lease the solar array without the upfront cost for outright purchases or financing. Learn why a solar lease is an affordable way to go solar on the Climate Matters blog.
Another option, Switch Together, is a similar solar purchasing program for residents of the National Capital Region that is available through August 19. Interested in learning more about the program? Join a free Fairfax Solar 101 information session on July 16, where residents can learn about how solar works, its costs and benefits, and what to consider for a home or small business installation.
If you’ve been thinking about solar, now is a great time to consider these programs, attend the Solar 101 session, and see which pathway fits your needs.
New Webpage Showcases Fairfax County’s High-Impact Energy Efficiency Projects
Through its energy performance contracting program, Fairfax County is analyzing and identifying high-impact, energy-saving projects that are helping the county cut energy use, costs, and emissions.
A new Energy Performance Project Summaries page features real-world case studies — such as Great Falls Library, Spring Hill Rec Center, the Pender Office Building, and Cub Run Rec Center — showing how upgrades like LED lighting, solar panels, geothermal systems, improved building controls, and high efficiency HVAC are delivering double-digit reductions in energy use, hundreds of thousands of dollars in avoided costs, and national recognition for energy efficiency and sustainability.
Explore the new project summaries to see how performance-based energy contracts are advancing Fairfax County’s climate and operational goals.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Fairfax County Earns Charging Smart Silver Designation for EV Readiness
Fairfax County, Va. has received a Silver designation from the national Charging Smart program for achieving policies that facilitate the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging infrastructure.
As a Charging Smart Silver designee, Fairfax County has adopted nationally recognized best practices to accelerate the deployment of EVs in the community. Actions like creating a Electric Vehicle Readiness Strategy and fleet analysis, offering the Charge Up Fairfax program and adopting zoning that supports the installation of EV chargers in parking lots throughout the jurisdiction helped the county earn the designation.
“Achieving Charging Smart Silver is a strong affirmation that Fairfax County is turning its clean transportation and alternative fuel vehicle goals into real progress on the ground,” said John Morrill, Director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “This designation reflects our commitment to making it easier for residents, businesses, and county government itself to transition to cleaner vehicles and the infrastructure they need. It also underscores that this is truly a team effort.”
Fairfax County Government Center to Install New EV Charging Stations
 To support Fairfax County’s carbon reduction goals for its own operations and the whole community, the county has begun installing EV charging stations for public and fleet vehicles at the Government Center. These EV charging stations will be the first at the Government Center for public use.
The county will install six dual chargers for twelve parking spaces with an additional six dual charger bases for future use. There will also be four single chargers for ADA-accessible parking spaces. The fleet vehicles will have ten dual chargers for twenty parking spaces with an additional ten dual charger bases for future expansion. Construction on the project began on June 29, 2026 and will continue through October 2026. During construction, there will be partial closures in parking lots A and B.
This project is a key step in expanding EV infrastructure at county facilities and supporting cleaner transportation options for employees, visitors, and county operations.
Your Guide to Cycling in Fairfax
Cycling is a fun, sustainable and healthy way to explore, enjoy and commute in Fairfax County. In the last 20 years, there’s been a significant increase in bicycling on county trails, sidewalks and roads. Fairfax County’s Guide to Cycling will get you ready for your next ride with safety tips, a bike map, parking information and more!
Best Workplaces for Commuters Now Accepting 2027 Applications; Fairfax Employers Encouraged to Apply
Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC™) is now accepting applications for its 2027 recognition cycle, honoring employers, residential communities, and institutions that support commuter-friendly transportation options.
Virginia currently leads the nation in Best Workplace for Commuters recognitions, and Fairfax County already has nearly 200 BWC designees. Participating employers gain local and national recognition, access to tools and technical assistance, and connections to a nationwide transportation and sustainability network.
Interested in becoming a Fairfax County Best Workplace for Commuters? Contact the Fairfax County Commuter Services team at 703-877-5900 or via email at DOTCommuterServices@fairfaxcounty.gov
WASTE REDUCTION
Green Breakfast: The Problem with Plastic and the Realities of Recycling
Do you know what percent of all plastics produced get recycled at least once: Five percent? Ten? 30 percent? How widespread are microplastics? What are the environmental and economic costs of plastic pollution?
Join Jen Cole, Executive Director of Clean Fairfax, for a virtual Green Breakfast on July 11 to look at the long-term impacts of single use plastic and policy level changes that could curb the plastic problem. This event is free and no prior registration is required.
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District hosts virtual Green Breakfast programs at 9 a.m. on Teams.
Stay Cool at the FCPA Summer Entertainment Series with a Waste Wizard fan!
Fairfax County’s Solid Waste Program has provided district supervisors with hand-held fans sustainably made of bamboo and paper so Fairfax residents can stay shaded and cool while they take in a summer concert. The fans were produced with funding from the Plastic Bag Tax which is administered by OEEC.
Since the bag tax took effect in 2021, it has generated over $10 million in revenue which has supported environmental education programs, pollution and litter mitigation and cleanup efforts, and the distribution of reusable bags to residents in need.
Donate, Don't Trash, These Used but Useful Items
Have you ever driven through a neighborhood the night before trash day and marveled at all the good-quality, usable items sitting on the curb waiting to be picked up? We often throw away things that can be useful to others, not sure what else to do with them. Before you put something on the curb for the trash truck, stop and ask yourself if it can be donated. In addition to helping someone in need, you will also keep items out of the landfill. Read the full story on the Golden Gazette.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Mini-Grants Available for Invasive Plant Control on Community and Faith-Based Lands
Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM is offering mini-grants of up to $5,000 to support the professional control of invasive plants threatening trees on common land owned or managed by nonprofit community associations and faith communities.
Interested organizations must first submit a pre-application form to schedule a site visit with a Fairfax Tree Rescuer volunteer. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.
Native Plant Landscape Design Conference for Industry Professionals – August 20, 2026
Landscaping professionals are invited to a native plant-focused conference on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Merrifield Garden Center, Fair Oaks location.
This is the eighth annual event sponsored by Plant NOVA Natives. Open only to landscape industry professionals — including designers, architects, maintenance crews, growers, nurseries, property managers, and builders — the event features sessions with horticulturalists and plant specialists on techniques and best practices for landscape design with native plants.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCY
Cooling Programs Can Help Keep Residents Safe from the Heat this Summer
 Do you or someone you know need help with energy costs this summer? Fairfax County offers three programs to keep your home cool this summer: Cooling Assistance, Senior Cool Care, and AC Rescue. View this fact sheet or watch this video to learn more about these programs and who is eligible. Or call Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 to find out if these programs can help you.
Tips to Beat Extreme Summer Heat
Summer heat in Fairfax County can become dangerous quickly, so it’s important to recognize heat-related illnesses and take steps to stay safe.
Heat exhaustion — marked by heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, and cool, clammy skin — requires prompt first aid: move to a cool place, drink water, and apply cool, wet cloths. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, with symptoms including a high body temperature (103°F or higher), hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, and confusion or loss of consciousness. Call or text 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect heat stroke.
You can reduce risk by “pre-cooling” your home: close blinds and curtains on sunny sides of the house in the morning, use fans strategically, avoid heat-generating appliances during peak hours, and run air conditioning earlier in the day before afternoon temperatures peak.
Remember to check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, especially those without air conditioning, and stay informed by signing up for Fairfax Alerts at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts.
Want to know more? Watch an Extreme Heat webinar presented by the Department of Emergency Management and Security.
Drought Watch Continues: Voluntary Water Conservation and Fire Safety Urged
 While our water supply in the Potomac River and regional reservoirs remains adequate, Governor Spanberger, Fairfax Water and regional officials emphasize that conservation is still important.
Residents and businesses are encouraged to take simple, voluntary steps to reduce water use — such as shorter showers, fixing leaks, running full loads of laundry and dishes, monitoring outdoor watering, and using rain barrels where possible. Dry conditions also increase fire risk, so residents are urged to use extra caution when smoking, grilling, or operating equipment that can create sparks, and to keep vehicles off dry grass.
Stay in the Loop! 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!
|
