environment | FFXnow

New agreement aims to protect both trees and power lines along W&OD Trail

Published February 3, 2026 at 10:05AM

A sign posted in October 2025 tells Washington & Old Dominion Trail users that Dominion Energy will replant a cleared area with native trees and shrubs as invasive species encroach (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After months of negotiations and pressure from both elected officials and community members, Dominion Energy and NOVA Parks have settled on a new path forward for managing trees near power lines along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park.

Dominion and the regional park authority, which owns and manages the 45-mile-long W&OD Trail, have reached an agreement governing vegetation management activities that, among other provisions, requires the utility to provide advanced notice of any major maintenance work and to plant native species in affected areas when possible.

Countywide

Fairfax County proposes new zoning rules on facilities for large-scale battery storage

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated January 14, 2026 at 10:40AM

Battery Energy Storage System (photo by Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory, via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County supervisors on Tuesday (Jan. 13) set a pair of future public hearings on proposed revisions to zoning rules for large-scale battery storage in the county.

The proposed changes would impact what are known as Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS. Language in the amendments would add a new definition for BESS and add new use standards and submission requirements, including minimum setbacks and the completion of a noise study before a site plan can be approved.

News

Delegate Bulova to resign, accept appointment by incoming Gov. Spanberger

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 11, 2025 at 11:15AM

David Bulova (courtesy Spanberger Transition)

Some Fairfax voters will soon be faced with yet another special election.

Del. David Bulova (D-11), who represents Oakton, Fairfax City and the Fair Oaks area, will step down from his seat in the General Assembly after accepting an appointment from governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s secretary of natural and historic resources.

Countywide

Report: Fairfax carbon emissions trending down, despite post-Covid travel uptick

By Nolan Stout

Published December 5, 2025 at 8:30AM

Westbound traffic passing through the Oakton area on I-66 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County has reduced greenhouse gas emissions nearly 30% since 2005, with officials optimistic the downward trend will continue toward the county’s goals for 2030.

County staff provided a draft report of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ (COG) greenhouse gas inventory to the Board of Supervisors’ environmental committee last week (Nov. 25).

Countywide

Fairfax County continues electric vehicle push, but won’t meet 2035 goal

By Nolan Stout

Published December 2, 2025 at 9:15AM

Fairfax Connector electric bus by charging station (via FCDOT)

Fairfax County won’t be able to meet its goal of electrifying its vehicle fleet by 2035.

County officials told the Board of Supervisors’ environmental committee last week (Nov. 25) that the goal is unattainable because fully electric alternatives to all the county’s vehicles aren’t available.

News

Friends of Reston revives tree fund to support community plantings

By Jamie Rogers

Published December 1, 2025 at 9:15AM

Friends of Reston President Kathleen Driscoll (middle) with Cameron and Lincoln Dunn (left), Bundeseh-German Liaison Office Col. Bernd Albers (right) and Volkswagen Group of America Senior Director Mark Ramsey (back), who were honored as exceptional supporters at a Nov. 3 tree planting ceremony (photo by Kathleen Driscoll)

Local nonprofit Friends of Reston has brought new life to its Friends of Trees Tree Fund program, doubling down on its efforts to help preserve Reston’s lush tree canopy by encouraging the community to plant more trees.

The program has existed since at least 2012 but experienced a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kathleen Driscoll, president of Friends of Reston, which supports Reston Association through private fundraising and charitable, educational and scientific activities.

News

Dominion Energy plans ‘selective’ tree removals on W&OD Trail with NOVA Parks’ support

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 14, 2025 at 8:30AM

People walking on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail east of Hunter Mill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dominion Energy is planning to take down more trees near its power lines along the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail — this time, with the consent of NOVA Parks.

Starting next Monday (Oct. 20), the power company will begin “selective” pruning and removals of trees and other vegetation on a 2.6-mile section of the trail between its Clark substation in Vienna and the Hunter substation in Wolf Trap, just outside Reston.

Countywide

FCPS celebrates progress on solar panel, electric bus initiatives, even as federal support fades

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 3, 2025 at 8:30AM

Langley High School student Shriya Gubbi speaks at a Sun Day event celebrating clean energy outside James Madison High School in Vienna (photo by Scott Peterson)

Half a decade after Fairfax County launched a solar panel initiative touted as the largest in Virginia to date, the first major installation at a public school is nearing completion.

Rooftop solar panels have been under construction at Olde Creek Elementary School (9524 Old Creek Drive) since Aug. 1 and are on track to become fully operational by Oct. 13, according to Fairfax County Public Schools.

News

Program to boost energy-efficient homes wins praise, draws some concern from supervisors

By Scott McCaffrey

Published September 19, 2025 at 8:30AM

Solar panel roof installation (via Raze Solar/Unsplash)

Will Fairfax County’s latest energy-efficiency initiative deliver enough bang for the buck to make it viable in an era of constrained budgets?

County supervisors weren’t so sure, but the new Energy Compass initiative will have the coming year to prove its worth.

News

Herndon’s tree canopy is growing but still falls short of neighbors, staff say

By Vernon Miles

Published September 11, 2025 at 11:45AM

A large tree looms over Elden Street in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Herndon’s tree canopy coverage isn’t bad for a town of its size, but it notably lags behind some of its neighbors, town staff say.

At a work session on Tuesday (Sept. 9), arborist Nick Maletta told the Herndon Town Council that the town currently has 26% canopy coverage, which falls within a standard range but at the lower end of that spectrum.