Alert:
Path | Image Path | Image Anchor | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charge Up Fairfax Program Open to Communities Looking to Install EV Charging |
Starting May 1, community associations in Fairfax County interested in installing electric vehicle charging stations for their residents will be able to apply for technical assistance and partial reimbursement through the Charge Up Fairfax program. Beginning in 2023, OEEC worked with 10 pilot program communities to ensure the Charge Up Fairfax program was designed to meet their needs. Pilot communities are contacting contractors and coordinating with OEEC to prepare for the installation of EV charging stations. Up to 8 community associations will be accepted into the program during this application period, which runs from May 1 through June 30. Another application period will open in the fall. More information about the program and how to apply is available on the Charge Up Fairfax webpage.
|
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/Charge%20Up%202024/Charge%20Up%20News%20Header.png | 1 | ||
EQAC Now Accepting Student Membership Applications for 2024-25 Term | The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is seeking a student member to join the council for the July 2024 through June 2025 term. Interested high school sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply by May 6. EQAC’s primary function is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for improving environmental protection and enhancement, including preparing an annual report on the state of the physical environment in Fairfax County. Each year, the council also administers the Environmental Excellence Awards to recognize individuals and organizations, businesses, and employees for advancing or supporting the county’s environmental goals and policies. EQAC is composed of one citizen representative from each of nine magisterial districts, four at large members, and one student representative. Each member is appointed to serve a three-year term, except the student member, who serves during their junior or senior year of high school. The council generally meets in-person at the Fairfax County Government Center on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 7:15 p.m. The student member application is open to all interested high school sophomores and juniors living in Fairfax County (excluding cities of Fairfax and Falls Church) who are in good standing. Eligible public school, private school, parochial and homeschooled students are encouraged to apply. To apply, complete and submit the online student application form. All applications must be received by 11:59p.m. on Monday, May 6. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/EQAC%20Student%20Member%20Applications%2024-25%29.png | 1 | ||
Go Solar this Spring with Solarize VA, Solar Switch and Solar Panel Recycling | Three programs available to Fairfax County residents are making it easier to install a quality rooftop solar system at lower costs and to recycle older solar panels. Solarize Virginia and Capital Area Solar Switch make switching to solar a snap by offering:
Both programs are open this spring for a limited time, and you can sign up now. Meanwhile, the Solar Panel Recycling Program has been launched by our Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES). It offers a responsible method for residents to dispose of solar panels, contributing to a greener planet. Using renewable energy like solar power can reduce your monthly energy bills, increase your home’s value and benefit the environment. Local incentives and a federal solar tax credit of 30% can further reduce installation costs, making solar energy more accessible than ever before. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/iStock-985363900%20%281%29.jpg | 1 | ||
Morrill Appointed Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination Director | John Morrill has been appointed director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC), effective immediately. Morrill brings over 30 years of experience in energy and environmental issues and has served as acting director of the OEEC since March 2023. The office was established in July 2019 to lead the county's interdepartmental activity on environmental and energy plans, policies and programs, including climate action and resiliency. OEEC works to connect county departments, authorities, businesses and residents to effectively advance the county’s environmental and energy goals. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/morrill%20announced%20banner.png | 1 | ||
Pender Office Project Will Conserve Energy and Save Money | A new rooftop solar array and other energy improvements at the Pender Office Building will save money and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The project, which was a partnership between the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, is another step in meeting the county’s goals for carbon neutrality in its facilities, fleet vehicles and operations, including 50% of county electricity from renewable sources by 2040, as outlined in the Operational Energy Strategy. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/HEADER%20Pender%20Project.png | 1 | Center | |
Residents Invited to Share Environmental Concerns with EQAC | Our environment is worth protecting – so make your voice heard! Fairfax County residents are encouraged to share their view on the state of the environment with the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) on or before January 10. EQAC is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise them on environmental matters. Each year the council invites the public to submit comments on environmental issues of concern. While the timing of the comment period coincides with the publication of EQAC’s Annual Report on the Environment, it is not specific to the report but to environmental issues more broadly. There are 3 ways for residents to provide input:
Learn more about EQAC and the public comment meeting on the EQAC webpage. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/4.png | 1 | ||
Updated Climate Action Dashboard Tracks Fairfax County’s Progress in Reducing Emissions and Building Resilience | The Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) has updated the public-facing Climate Action Dashboard to show the progress made toward the county’s climate action goals. The dashboard tracks progress in implementing the county’s three climate and energy plans – the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), the Operational Energy Strategy (OES), and Resilient Fairfax. These plans set ambitious goals that include: lowering greenhouse gas emissions to achieve community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050; achieving carbon neutrality for its own government operations by 2040; and improving community resilience to the effects of climate change that are already occurring. Updates to the dashboard include:
“We developed the dashboard to help our residents and stakeholders better understand how our collective effort is making a positive impact,” said OEEC Acting Director John Morrill. “With more than 70 strategies across our three climate plans, it’s also important that we make data-driven decisions to guide our actions.” Data highlights:
Information on the dashboard is gathered from a variety of sources, including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Virginia Department of Energy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and many county agencies. OEEC will routinely update the dashboard as progress is made and additional data becomes available. To learn more about the county’s climate action plans, policies and programs, visit the OEEC website. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/Copy%20of%20Climate%20Dashboard%20Announcement%20.png | 1 | ||
OEEC Announces Charge Up Fairfax Pilot Communities | Today the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) announced five additional communities selected for the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program, an initiative designed to help homeowners and condominium owners associations (HOAs) with installing shared electric vehicle charging stations for residents and their guests. The selected communities are:
The 5 communities selected will receive technical support in the form of a site assessment by an engineering firm. If the community decides to proceed with the purchase and installation of Level 2 electric vehicle charging station(s), they will hire a contractor to perform the necessary permitting, electrical upgrades, installation and final inspection. Once the EV charger is operational, the community can seek a grant from OEEC to partially reimburse the cost of the installation – up to $10,000 for some communities. “We’re pleased that these communities are pursuing a clean energy future with electric vehicle infrastructure,” said OEEC Acting Director John Morrill. “With today’s announcement, we encourage other community associations to make plans to apply to Charge Up Fairfax when the application period opens again in spring 2024.” Electric vehicles, or EVs, are better for the environment and less expensive to fuel and maintain than gas-powered vehicles. Rebate and incentive programs for the purchase of EVs – including federal tax credits of up to $7,500 – are reducing the cost and driving up demand. By 2030, EVs are expected to represent 40 to 50% of total passenger car sales. The convenience of at-home charging makes EV ownership more practical, but that can be a barrier for residents of community associations who may not access to a private driveway or garage where they can easily plug in. Charge Up Fairfax helps address this gap for these common-interest communities, which can include HOAs, multi-family condo buildings, clusters or townhome communities. OEEC is already working with five other HOAs selected earlier in 2023 and will use insights and lessons learned from the pilot phase to refine the program for a broader launch next year. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/Charge%20Up%20PR.png | 1 | Center | |
Listen or Watch Now: Fairfax County Leaders Discuss Environmental and Energy Strategies | On the December episode of the “Connect with County Leaders” podcast, host Bryan Hill, county executive of Fairfax County, spoke with Office of Environmental and Energy Acting Director John Morrill. These Fairfax County leaders discussed the county’s goals and strategies related to environmental sustainability, energy use and climate change mitigation. Morrill outlined some of the ways OEEC coordinates with other county agencies to reduce energy consumption, increase renewable energy usage and promote alternative technologies to cut carbon emissions. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/County%20Leaders%20header.png | 1 | ||
Sully Community Center Goes Solar | Great renewable energy news - Fairfax County has installed another solar array on a county government building! This latest installation is in Chantilly at the Sully Community Center, which serves as the home of the Sully Senior Center and also provides a broad array of services, programs and activities for individuals of all ages and abilities. The cost of the project at the 38,000-square-foot building is approximately $537,000, but is expected to generate savings of approximately $1 million over 25 years. In addition to reducing operating costs and generating clean energy, the effort will yield additional benefits over time, such as contributing to better air quality by reducing emissions and providing some shading effect for the roof. |
Read full article | /environment-energy-coordination/sites/environment-energy-coordination/files/Assets/FFX-Solar%20Panels%20at%20Sully%20Community%20Center-3456.jpg | 1 |