Though temperatures are cooling, some of the trails around Reston will see plenty of activity in the coming weeks, as work begins on a campaign to uproot invasive plants.
Crews with the Gainesville-based consulting firm Wetland Studies and Solutions (WSSI) began working this week to remove invasive species, including vines and shrubs, from nine designated sites, Reston Association announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order creating a new “accountability framework” that aims to increase transparency around proposed data center projects, establishes checkpoints around energy and environmental impacts, and convenes a new “rapid response” AI task force.
Touted as the “most comprehensive and aggressive data center accountability framework in the country,” Executive Order 22 bans nondisclosure agreements by state agencies or employees, eliminates “by-right” approvals in favor of requiring public hearing and approval processes for projects that generate over 25 megawatts of power, and requires centers to contribute a “more equitable share” of electric costs.
The Washington region will likely fall well short of its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the rise of data centers is the prime culprit.
With just four years to go, the region is less than halfway toward meeting agreed-upon emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to new data presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on Wednesday (Sept. 9).
A Fairfax County legislator on Sept. 1 was honored by the Virginia League of Conservation Voters for his work on clean energy legislation and addressing the impacts of data centers.
Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) was one of six General Assembly members awarded by the group for their legislative leadership during the 2026 session.
Fairfax County is bringing back a popular program that provides free trees to community groups for planting on privately owned properties.
The county’s Urban and Community Forestry Division (UCFD) is currently accepting applications for its tree distribution program until Oct. 30, inviting any local community organization — from volunteer groups and civic associations to faith organizations and nonprofits — to participate.
By SARAH RANKIN Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia, the world’s largest data center hub, has released a long-delayed study that examined the state’s eastern region groundwater supply and the resource-hungry industry’s possible impact on it, finding declines are likely in a critical aquifer due to population growth and industrial use, and urging stricter regulations.
Update — The dissolution of the Fairfax County Tree Commission and replacement of the Environmental Quality Advisory Council with a county environmental commission were approved on Aug. 25 with 9-1 and unanimous votes, respectively.
Earlier: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Aug. 25 to consider eliminating the Fairfax’s Tree Commission and consolidating some of its responsibilities with those of the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC).
By the end of this year, workers and members of the public will be able to charge up their electric vehicles while at the office or accessing services at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Construction started Monday (June 29) on installations of the first EV charging stations at the county government’s headquarters (12000 Government Center Parkway) that will be available for public use, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) announced.
Construction work is underway on a summertime effort to reinvigorate Gateway Regional Park in the City of Fairfax.
Avon Corp., which received the contract for the project, has started work that’s expected to run through September. The park will remain closed through November for the construction and subsequent fall plantings, according to NOVA Parks, which manages the site.
Summer in Fairfax County means a break from school, an abundance of outdoor music options and, in recent years, the return of the spotted lanternflies.
The invasive insects started to reemerge earlier this month, but they are still in their young “nymph” stage, resembling small beetles with white spots on their black bodies instead of the larger, winged form they take as adults, according to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).
