Energy Efficiency

Taking Action

Renewable Energy – Solar

A free program offered by the Local Energy Alliance Program in conjunction with the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and its partner local governments. There is no cost to consider putting solar on your home. Through a competitive review process, LEAP evaluates proposals from local installers and selects a high-quality installer that has committed to providing discounted prices to all program participants. With low upfront costs, a streamlined process, and energy savings, Solarize Virginia is a win-win for you and the environment.

https://solarizenova.org/

Home Energy Efficiency Programs

Community Housing Partners weatherization helps qualified families reduce energy costs by improving the energy efficiency and health of their homes using the federal Weatherization Assistance Program and other funding sources. In addition, CHP Energy Solutions partners with electric and gas utility companies to provide energy efficiency and energy conservation measures for their age- and income-qualifying residential customers.

https://www.communityhousingpartners.org/energy-solutions/

Growing Our Workforce

Northern Virginia Community College- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate

https://admissions.nvcc.edu/programs/air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-certificate

Northern Virginia Community College – Welding

https://admissions.nvcc.edu/programs/welding-basic-techniques-csc

Community Housing Partners – Energy Efficiency and Other Training Programs

https://www.communityhousingpartners.org/energy-solutions/research-training-center/chp-courses/

Fairfax County Public Schools Adult Education Programs

https://aceclasses.fcps.edu/CategorySubjectListing.aspx?ProgramID=194&ProgramName=Certificate+Classes&IsCourse=1

Regional Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The regional GHG emission reduction goals include 10% below business as usual projections by 2012 (under 2005 levels), 20% below 2005 levels by 2020, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050. COG’s GHG inventories show that the region’s progress to date towards the GHG emission reduction goals has been mixed.

The region exceeded its 2012 goal but is lagging on progress towards its 2020 goal. The most recent inventory indicates that 2018 GHG emissions in the region decreased by approximately 13 percent below 2005 levels, despite a 19% growth in population. Per capita emissions decreased between 2005 and 2018 from 15.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO e)in 2005 to 11.4 MTCO e in 2018. Expedited and concerted actions will be needed throughout the region to achieve future goals.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2018 revealed the following information:

Metropolitan Washington community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 13% between 2005 and 2018.
Despite a 19% growth in population, GHG emissions reduced from 71.8 MMTCO2e (million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2005 to 62.6 MMTCO2e in 2018.
Per capita emissions decreased 27% between 2005 and 2018; from 15.6 MTCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2005 to 11.4 MTCO2e in 2018.
In 2018, energy consumption (residential and commercial) accounted for 52% of GHG emissions and transportation and mobile sources accounted for 40%. For the region 22% of GHG emissions are related to residential emissions and 30% commercial energy emissions.