Stand Up for Climate Progress in the General Assembly
The General Assembly session is fast-paced and opportunities arise throughout for citizens to contact committee chairs and their representatives to support or oppose pending legislation.
The EcoAdvocate
Support Climate-Friendly, Healthy Schools
EcoAction Arlington, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions Arlington Hub, and the Sierra Club Potomac River Group have recently sent two joint letters to the Arlington School Board and the APS Superintendent asking for firm commitments to carbon neutrality, including making ACC all electric for key systems, to protect our children’s future and to offer inspiration and experiential learning for students who may one day work in green economy jobs.
Weigh in on the Draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan
Arlington County is currently soliciting feedback on its draft Forestry and Natural Resources Plan (FNRP), which will guide County efforts to protect and enhance its tree canopy and natural resources for at least the next decade.
EcoAction Arlington Comments on the Missing Middle Housing Proposal
EcoAction Arlington recently sent a letter to the County Board supporting, but describing its concerns, with proposed plans to change residential zoning throughout the County to allow small-scale 2 to 8 units residential buildings (aka Missing Middle) in lots currently zoned for single-family residences. Higher density housing is more environmentally friendly as it increases energy …
Weigh in on Arlington’s Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan
Arlington County needs to do more to meet the challenges of the rapidly unfolding climate crisis.
Join the Conversation on the County’s Zero Waste Plan
Would you like Arlington County to do more to assist residents and businesses with reducing waste and the heavy carbon footprint that it represents? Do you have ideas on how to expand opportunities to reduce, reuse, and repair? Are you frustrated with trying to navigate existing recycling programs or finding ways to recycle hard-to-recycle metals, …
Electrify Your Life to Help Drive Change and Save Money in The Long Run
Transitioning from fossil fuels (e.g., goal and natural gas) to low-carbon sources of electricity is essential for reaching carbon neutrality. While much of the energy purchased from electric utilities is currently derived from fossil fuels, this will be reduced significantly during the lifespan of many of our investments in vehicles, appliances, and building heating and …
The Arlington County Board Needs to Invest More in Climate Change Action
Business as usual is not an option. I look to County Board members to do everything within your power to take action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change and help build a sustainable and livable future for my family and future generations.
Urge Amazon to Make PenPlace HQ2 Zero Carbon
The PenPlace Project, Amazon’s HQ2 complex, demonstrates outstanding elements of sustainable design and has the potential to become the first commercial zero carbon building in Arlington, helping to normalize advanced practices in sustainable design and construction essential to achieve the County’s goal for carbon neutrality. Ask Amazon to commit to achieving Zero Carbon Certification and …
Be an Environmental Advocate during the 2022 General Assembly Session
Citizen voices can sway our state legislators and now is the time to stand up for climate action, protection of our air, water, and open spaces, and environmental justice. EcoAction Arlington is joining forces with Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions Arlington Hub and the Potomac River Group of the Sierra Club to amplify Arlington voices …
Plastic Bag Fee Starts January 1
In September, with the encouragement of EcoAction Arlington and the 1,500 signers of our petition, the Arlington County Board joined Fairfax County and Alexandria in adopting a plastic bag tax. Starting January 1, grocery stores, drugstores, and convenience stores in Arlington will begin to charge a five-cent fee for single-use plastic bags at their check-out counters. …
Site Plan Review Process Update
Several development projects are currently under review through the Site Plan Review Process, giving residents an opportunity to advocate for building designs consistent with the County’s carbon neutrality goal. PenPlace, the next phase of Amazon’s HQ2, could be on track to be the first large commercial project to achieve Zero Carbon Building certification. Proposed plans …
It’s Time for Arlington to Declare a Climate Emergency
The world is experiencing a climate crisis and EcoAction Arlington urges the County Board to declare a climate emergency, develop a robust Climate Action Plan, and use its guidance to the County Manager for the FY 2023 Budget to put the County on a clear path to addressing this crisis. Communities around the world are …
Site Plan Review Committee Updates
The Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) community input window for Wendy’s Site – 2025 Clarendon Boulevard is closing on Thursday, September 16. The April 2021 LEED/Sustainability documents (combined) for this 16-story residential building indicate a commitment to LEED Gold, including 5 additional possible points for Annual Energy Use and Efficient Hot Water Distribution. These kinds …
Use Your Vote to Promote Climate Change Action
Read the candidates responses to questions on key environmental challenges and attend the Environmental Candidates forum on October 20 — On November 2, Virginians will go to the polls to elect their Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and representatives to the House of Delegates. Arlington voters will also fill one seat each for the County …
Be an Active Participant in Collecting Food Scraps Waste
A successful launch of this program will depend on residents enthusiastically embracing the effort. You can help by: Following the three simple steps for food scraps collection and adhering to the list of items that can go into your bin. If you’re already composting food scraps you can add to the bin those items not …
A Step Forward Toward Zero Waste
Curbside food scrap collection will reduce the residential waste stream going to the Waste-to-Energy facility by 20 percent (wet food scraps don’t burn well) and increase the countywide recycling rate to about 55 percent. These organic materials will be turned into compost and some will be returned to Arlington to be used to enrich soil …
Food Scraps Collection Begins in the County September 6
The county’s new Food Scraps Collection program is simple. Put a biodegradable bag in the small pail provided by Arlington County. The county will provide a roll of compostable bags. Replacements can be purchased at local retailers or online. Do NOT use regular plastic bags — paper is okay. Add all food scraps, oils and …
Now is the Time to Align County Spending with its Environmental Goals
In recent years, Arlington has set lofty goals to tackle the climate crisis and create a truly sustainable community and the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a key mechanism to align government operations with these goals. The CIP, updated annually, generally anticipates planned investments 10 years into the future for new facilities, schools, equipment …
Earth Day “Gift” from County Board’s Budget Directives
EcoAction Arlington thanked the County Board for their Earth Day gift to Arlington. In adopting the FY22 budget, the County Board directed the County Manager to develop recommendations to coordinate a “whole of government” approach to achieving Arlington’s Climate Change and Sustainability goals. EcoAction Arlington is gratified that the Board sent a list of inspiring …
Building Electrification Key to County’s Carbon Neutrality Goal
With buildings accounting for about 60 percent of Arlington’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, electrification–elimination of onsite combustion of fossil fuels, primarily natural gas–in homes and commercial and residential buildings is essential to achieving the Community Energy Plan (CEP) goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. As progress toward the county’s goal for shifting to electricity from …