News Highlights

• Fairfax County will join with 246 mayors nationwide in their vow to fight climate change.
• This action recommits the county to its ongoing efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, following the county leadership 10 years ago to create the national Cool Counties declaration.
• The county has already cut its per capita emissions by 10 percent.

As national policymakers waver on their resolve to combat climate change, Fairfax County will join with 246 mayors to strengthen its pledge to fight global warming.

Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors endorsed joining the nationwide Mayors National Climate Action Agenda.

“Joining the Mayors Climate Agenda is a recommitment to the excellent progress Fairfax County is already making to protect and preserve our environment,” said Chairman Sharon Bulova. “For over a decade Fairfax County has been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to promote local sustainable practices. Along with our residents, businesses and regional partners we proudly join this network and will continue to do our part on the local level to help address climate change.”

Fairfax County led a similar national effort 10 years ago called Cool Counties. This declaration commits the county, along with local, state, and federal governments, to cut the D.C. region’s overall greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

Through the adoption of Cool Counties, Fairfax County has already committed to the three main pillars of the Mayors Agenda:

• Developing a community greenhouse gas emissions inventory
• Setting near- and long-term emissions reduction targets
• Developing a climate action plan

The county has reached its initial goal, cutting its per capita emissions by 10 percent. This finding from a 2016 regional greenhouse gas inventory conducted for the D.C. area’s local governments. The region’s next inventory will be released later this year.

However, it will be increasingly difficult to reach the region’s goals as federal polices reverse critical efforts to cut emissions like the Clean Power Plan, said Kambiz Agazi, environmental coordinator for the county. Power plants and the electric grid are one of the largest sources for the D.C. region’s emissions.

Fairfax officials also said that they need residents to help in the fight too. Residents and businesses produce 97 percent of emissions, Agazi said. The county government, including the public schools, account for only 3 percent.

Because electricity use generates about 40 percent of emissions regionally, Fairfax County is helping residents and businesses save money on their utility bills while reducing their carbon footprint:

• Sign up for discounted solar panels: Like Groupon for solar, Fairfax County is partnering to offer one-time, low prices with two companies through June 30. Get more information at a meeting on Thursday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the North County Government Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive, Reston. Or, register Or get started by registering online for a free assessment to see if solar is right for your home—no commitment required.
• Get expert advice on energy savings: Energy Action Fairfax can identify energy experts to help homeowners and neighbors learn about common places where energy is wasted, steps they can take, energy audits and more.
• Checkout a thermal camera from the library: Go to the library to check out a thermal camera that attaches to your smartphone. It will allow you to see hot and cold spots in your home that aren’t visible to the naked eye. You’ll be able to see your way to savings by finding air leaks and poor insulation.
• Apply for a matching grant: Apply for a matching grant for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy or improve water quality.As part of theFY 2018 Environmental Improvement Program, the county awarded the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District $75,000. This money is for expanding the grants that empower homeowner associations, places of worship and individual homeowners to implement on-the-ground sustainability projects.

#  #  #