Fairfax County is exploring being the first Virginia locality to create a “green bank” as a way to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
See the full story at FFXNow.
More DMV News
D.C. Moves to Ban Natural Gas in Most New Buildings, Aiming for Carbon Neutrality
DCist
By 2026, all new buildings and substantial renovations in D.C. will have to be net-zero construction, meaning they produce as much energy as they consume, under legislation passed unanimously by the D.C. Council. The legislation, which also bans most natural gas use in new buildings, has now been signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Regulators Approve Dominion Offshore Wind Project
Virginia Mercury
State regulators on Friday approved plans by Dominion Energy to construct the nation’s largest offshore wind farm in waters off Virginia Beach but imposed several conditions intended to protect ratepayers, including reporting requirements for cost overruns and a performance guarantee.
Prince George’s Composting Program Leads the Region
Greater Greater Washington
In early summer of 2021, Prince George’s County became an environmental leader in the DC region and Maryland by launching its curbside composting pick-up program, returning to the soil food that would otherwise be wasted. By June 2023, the program should be available to 97,000 households.
Alexandria Makes Progress on Two Major Flood Mitigation Projects
ALXNow
Some of the city’s biggest flood mitigation projects have been making progress in recent months. Two of the top-ranking, large capacity flood mitigation projects have reached notable milestones.
National and International News
After Passage of Climate Bill, Long Road Awaits
Washington Post
The Inflation Reduction Act, which the Senate approved Sunday and is likely to be passed into law by the end of the week, will pump $36 billion to incentivize more electric car purchases over the next decade. It’s part of $369 billion in the bill for tax subsidies and other measures designed to speed up the clean energy transition.
Deep in the Democrats’ Climate Bill, Analysts See More Wins for Clean Energy Than Gifts for Fossil Fuel Business
Inside Climate News
Although Senate leaders have included plenty of favors for the fossil fuel industry in the big climate package they hope to advance this week, most analysts have concluded these concessions amount to consolation prizes in a deal where clean energy is the clear winner.
EV Manufacturers, Regulators Debate US Ability to Hit 50% Sales Goal By 2030
Utility Dive
Panelists from the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, Panasonic and the International Council on Clean Transportation debated the United States’ ability to reach the Biden administration’s goal that half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, at an annual seminar in Michigan held by the Center for Automotive Research.
Scientists Say It’s ‘Fatally Foolish’ To Not Study Catastrophic Climate Outcomes
Inside Climate News
As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, some climate scientists say it’s time to start paying more attention to the most extreme, worst-case outcomes, including the potential for widespread extinctions, mass climate migration and the disintegration of social and political systems.
EVs Are the Fastest-Selling Used Cars in 9 Major Metro Areas
Utility Dive
As sales of new electric vehicles continue to grow, new data compiled by iSeeCars.com showed that EVs topped the list of fastest-selling used cars last month in nine major metro regions.