environment

Countywide

NEW: Gov. Spanberger orders ‘framework’ for regulating data centers, establishes AI task force

By Mary Stachyra Lopez
A woman with blonde hair, wearing a suit, stands at a podium surrounded by people. The Virginia state flag is visible on a screen in the left corner behind her.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announces a new executive order on data centers (courtesy Office of the Governor)

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.

Go to NEW: Gov. Spanberger orders ‘framework’ for regulating data centers, establishes AI task force Read more
Countywide

Data centers hurting efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, D.C. region leaders told

By Scott McCaffrey
CoreSite's Reston data center campus (staff photo by James Jarvis)

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).

Go to Data centers hurting efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, D.C. region leaders told Read more
News

Environmental group honors Del. Sullivan for work on clean energy, data centers

By Scott McCaffrey
Man in a gray blazer speaks into a handheld microphone at a public event, with a banner in the background.
Del. Rip Sullivan, D-6 (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

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.

Go to Environmental group honors Del. Sullivan for work on clean energy, data centers Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County offers free trees to community groups for planting on private properties

By Angela Woolsey
White service truck with orange beacon pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with large potted trees on a suburban street; autumn foliage in the background.
Casey Trees delivers free trees to the Sideburn Run Recreation Association in fall 2025 as part of Fairfax County's Free Trees to Community Organizations program (courtesy Casey Trees)

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.

Go to Fairfax County offers free trees to community groups for planting on private properties Read more
Countywide

Virginia study of data centers’ impact on groundwater calls for tighter regulations

By Associated Press
FILE - Cars drive past data centers in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 16, 2023 (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

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.

Go to Virginia study of data centers’ impact on groundwater calls for tighter regulations Read more
Countywide

Fairfax Tree Commission could be axed in merger of environmental advisory groups

By Scott McCaffrey
Tree branches hang over Anderson Road in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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).

Go to Fairfax Tree Commission could be axed in merger of environmental advisory groups Read more
News

Fairfax County starts installing EV charging stations at government center

By Angela Woolsey
Electric vehicle charging stations at a Fairfax County facility (courtesy Fairfax County Department of Environmental Services and Public Works)

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.

Go to Fairfax County starts installing EV charging stations at government center Read more
News

Construction begins to restore wetlands at Gateway Regional Park

By Scott McCaffrey
The Gateway Regional Park picnic area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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.

Go to Construction begins to restore wetlands at Gateway Regional Park Read more
Countywide

Fairfax County calls for preemptive strikes against emerging spotted lanternflies

By Angela Woolsey
Spotted lanternfly nymphs on an outdoor stair in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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).

Go to Fairfax County calls for preemptive strikes against emerging spotted lanternflies Read more
Countywide

Fairfax Water: Removing ‘forever chemicals’ likely to be lengthy, costly effort

By Scott McCaffrey
Sign for Fairfax Water's headquarters in Merrifield (file photo)

Fairfax Water’s efforts to reduce the amount of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in local drinking water come with “potentially significant costs,” Fairfax County supervisors were told on Tuesday (June 2).

“PFAS, from where I sit, is going to be a generational issue,” said Jamie Bain Hedges, general manager of the water utility, during the 90-minute meeting between the Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax Water Board.

Go to Fairfax Water: Removing ‘forever chemicals’ likely to be lengthy, costly effort Read more
View More Stories