The unveiling falls in line with the county’s strategy to make government operations carbon-neutral by 2040. The truck will “pick up residential trash and yard waste on routes throughout the county,” DPWES announced. The county says the truck is “a move that will save money and protect the environment.”
See the full story at FFX Now.
More DMV News
Fairfax County Furthers Push to Replace Gas Leaf Blowers With Electric Devices
FFX Now
By the end of June next year — the conclusion of the 2024 fiscal year — the county plans to ensure that the supply of electric blowers and string trimmers is nearly 50% electric, according to John Silcox, a spokesperson for the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.
Climate Access Fund Wins $100,000 Prize to Expand Community Solar in Md
Solar Builder Magazine
A non-profit green bank has been awarded $100,000 to expand community solar in Maryland. The Climate Access Fund (CAF) received the funding through the Energizing Rural Communities Prize, which is aimed at advancing collaborative efforts to expand community solar sites benefitting low-income households in the three counties of the western region of the state.
Va. Environmentalists Sue to Block Youngkin From Exiting Carbon Market
The Washington Post
Environmental groups filed suit Monday in Fairfax County Circuit Court to prevent Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) from taking Virginia out of a multistate carbon credit market aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Gas Tax Could Become a Relic as Md. Commission Eyes New Revenue Streams
WTOP News
Decreased revenues flowing to the state’s Transportation Trust Fund could trigger dramatic changes in how the state pays for future road and transportation projects. Moving to a surcharge based on the number of miles driven is one change the state’s new Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs Commission could suggest to the legislature over the next two years.
National and International News
Extreme Weather’s Latest Victim: The Annual Fun of Fall Foliage
The Washington Post
On a sunny Saturday with a tease of fall in the air, Jeff Wingate greeted guests trickling into Pop’s Biscotti and Chocolates. Grateful Dead songs filled the sweets shop that the baker and his chocolatier wife opened nearly a year ago, just in time for the annual rush of leaf-peepers. After the devastating floods in early July, this fall’s color-seekers will be more important than ever.
States Have Big Hopes For Renewable Energy. Get Ready to Pay For It.
Politico
Some upstate New York electric customers are already paying 10 percent of their utility bill to support the state’s effort to move off fossil fuels and into renewable energy. In the coming years, people across the state can expect to give up even bigger chunks of their income to the programs — $48 billion in projects is set to be funded by consumers over the next two decades.
Stifling Heat Spells Misery in Schools With No Air Conditioning
E & E News
Hundreds of thousands of students will return this month to public schools without air conditioning amid stifling temperatures.
EPA Enforcement Priorities Include New Focus on Landfill Methane, PFAS
Waste Dive
The U.S. EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for the 2024-2027 period include multiple focus areas relevant to the waste industry. The updated initiatives are part of a standard process to help the EPA and state environmental agencies prioritize enforcement efforts.
In a New Milestone, Renewables Generated 25% of US Power in the First Half of 2023
Electrek
The latest issue of EIA’s “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through June 30, 2023) reveals that in the first six months of this year, electrical generation by renewables (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) accounted for 25.11% of US electrical generation. That share is up slightly from the 25.06% reported for the first half of 2022, according the SUN DAY Campaign, which reviewed the data.