Suppport a Robust Building Decarbonization Program

Speaking up as Arlington County plans its future in big and small ways is important to make sure that all possible opportunities to address the climate and other environmental crises are in play. Currently, two plans are open for public comment that will play a key role in whether Arlington accelerates reductions in its greenhouse gas emissions and meets its carbon neutrality goal–

the update to the Green Building Incentive Policy and

a major overhaul of the Master Transportation Plan.

Don’t forget to vote on November 5 or earlier and

check out our shopping tips for reducing food waste.

Support a Robust Building Decarbonization Program

Arlington County’s efforts so far to drive down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its buildings, which account for about 60 percent of emissions, have been lagging. Arlington County must require both new and existing buildings sharply reduce energy use and phase out onsite fossil fuel use through electrification of heating, hot water, and cooking to eliminate climate-warming GHG emissions. The County’s Green Building Incentive Program (GBIP)–its primary tool for building decarbonization–is currently being updated. The good news is that this program is being expanded to existing buildings and encouraging adaptive reuse of commercial buildings to address rising vacancy rates in older commercial buildings that will also preserve embodied carbon of these structures. The proposed Climate Adaptive Pathway offers a gold standard for building decarbonization and sets enhanced targets for greenspaces and tree canopy coverage.
Nevertheless, the proposed GBIP update falls far short of what is required to meet the County’s carbon neutrality goals and should be strengthened:

Participants should be expected to achieve an Energy Star score of at least 85, essentially a grade of A, or equivalent measure, to meet desired energy efficiency goals.
Electrification should be a baseline requirement for the traditional and adaptive reuse pathways and be encouraged for other building renovation projects.EV infrastructure is critical, and a minimum of 50% of parking spaces should be EV-ready for new buildings (current proposal calls for 10%, a reduction from current 15%).Proposed cash incentives under three out of the four pathways will limit participation to only a handful of projects over the next five years. To accelerate building electrification and reduce energy use, the program should offer a toolkit of tax incentives, assistance with available federal and state credit and rebate programs, and referrals to available financing through Green Banks and other programs.
Planned education and outreach to developers, builders, contractors, and building owners should be expanded, creating essentially a one stop shop, providing key information on design
and technology options, expected benefits, available incentive programs and financial options, and include targeted outreach to older, frequently more affordable multi-family buildings.

The online engagement form for the Green Building Incentive Policy 2024 Update asks a few general questions on how to make buildings sustainable and asks for feedback to the draft document of the updated GBIP (see above for some crucial elements, feel free to add more ideas). To comment on the proposal, you simply click anywhere on the document to make a comment (hint: you can also agree with other comments). For more information and to provide your feedback, follow this link to the county’s webpage.Read More

Help Plan Arlington’s Transportation Future

Do you want transit service that fits your needs? Would you walk or bike more if you felt safer? Are you looking for better ways for your teens to get around? Would you like less traffic congestion, cleaner air, and more tree-lined streets? Don’t know where you would charge an EV? Arlington County is overhauling its Master Transportation Plan and is seeking input from Arlington residents on their transportation needs. With transportation accounting for almost 40 percent of Arlington’s greenhouse gas emissions, this plan must play a key role in charting a pathway to improved services and infrastructure supporting convenient transit and multi-modal options for everyone and promote electrification of buses and other vehicles to drive emissions to zero by 2050. You can help by letting the County know how you would like to travel in an ideal world, what obstacles you face in using transit, biking, and walking, and the priority you place on emissions-free transportation.

Here’s how you can share your thoughts and priorities:

Attend the open house at Arlington Mill on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 am to 1 pm. Or another public engagement event.

Complete the online survey – you can use the final question to offer more details and additional input on what the updated Master Transportation Plan should address.

Use the interactive map to identify locations that you frequent, how you get there, and why you do or don’t use public transit or other car-free mode of travel.

Vote on November 5

Addressing the climate and other environmental crises requires urgent and transformational changes at the global, national, state and local levels. With time running out to make the necessary changes to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis, this year’s elections could well decide our collective future. Know where the candidates stand before you cast your ballot on (or before) November 5. In addition to key elections for president and Congress, Arlington has important elections for one County Board seat and two School Board seats.

To help voters assess where the candidates stand on the climate and environment, EcoAction Arlington and Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions have asked candidates to fill out a questionnaire. Here are their responses:

Click For Voting Information

Learn About Climate Change and How You Can Advance Solutions

Join leaders from Elders Climate Action for a 4-week course, Can We Stop Climate Change? on Mondays 2:00-3:30 pm starting October 28. This engaging, interactive, fast-paced and informative course will address the current status of the climate crisis, solutions to address it, and the role each of us can play in preserving our planet for future generations. Register now with: gloriamog@verizon.net.

Learn more

Help Shape Jennie Dean Park Expansion

Arlington County is seeking input for phase 2 of the renovation of Jennie Dean Park, where EcoAction conducts occasional cleanup events. Plans include additional sports facilities, expanded tree canopy coverage and native plant landscaping, and new pathways. Share your ideas on these proposals here

Shopping Tips to Reduce Food Waste

Molly Bolan, EcoAction Arlington volunteer, has shopping tips and actions you can take to reduce how much food you’re tossing in the trash or compost – and help you save a few bucks in the process. The first steps come before you even set foot in a grocery store. Start by planning your week and taking stock.

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This content originally appeared The EcoAdvocate newsletter produced by the EcoAction Arlington Advocacy Committee. For more information about the Advocacy Committee, please visit ecoactionarlington.org/get-involved/ecoaction-arlingtondvocacy/

October 2024 EcoAdvocate