Voice Your Opinion - Arlington Community Energy Plan Implementation Framework
Join the conversation on how to make Arlington carbon neutral by 2050 and shift to 100% renewable electricity by 2035. Active community engagement is the best chance to implement measures critical to preventing a climate catastrophe. Arlington’s goals, laid out in the 2019 Community Energy Plan, are ambitious and will require major but realistic transformations, particularly for our buildings and transportation systems, which currently account for 58% and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions respectively.
The County’s Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) staff will soon be seeking community input on the CEP Implementation Framework that will identify near-term strategies to put the County on a path to meet these goals. The AIRE team plans pre-recorded presentations and will host forums for community discussion. To get alerts about upcoming activities and events, sign up for AIRE Energy Tips and Events.
Getting to a carbon neutral Arlington will require bold actions by the government and the private sector in these areas:
Major gains in energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.
Electrification of our buildings and homes to eliminate onsite combustion of natural gas.
Expanded rooftop solar and affordable options for consumers to purchase renewable energy through the grid.
A convenient and affordable public transit system and safe walkable and bikeable neighborhoods.
A rapid shift to electric vehicles and the installation of the necessary charging infrastructure.
Equitable access to the benefits of the CEP implementation for all Arlingtonians and promotion of environmental and social justice.
Well-defined goals and metrics to track progress.
Speak Out on Sustainable Building Design
Buildings constructed now will play an important role in determining whether the County will achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. EcoAction Arlington has recently taken an active role in the County’s Site Plan Review process to encourage developers to adopt sustainable building design. Citizen participation in these processes is an effective way to let developers, County staff, and County Board Members know your values and hopes for our communities.
The County will be accepting comments for a project at 2050 Wilson Blvd - Courthouse Landmark Block from October 26 through November 1.
For more details on the process and how you can participate –click here
Sign Our Plastic Bag Tax Petition
Join EcoAction Arlington and urge the County Board to adopt a plastic bag tax to help reduce the scourge of plastic pollution in our community.
Early voting began on September 18th and will go through October 31st. Be prepared—confirm your registration, check out the candidates and issues that will be on the ballot, and take action early if you plan to vote by mail.
Thank you to the contributors to this issue: Carolyn Lang, Leslie Louden, and Joan McIntyre.
