Environmental Policy Commission

What's New?

• T&ES Office of Environmental Quality's Report on "2011 Eco-City Progress Report and Key Environmental Indicators" is Now Available
  
  Under the direction of and with strong commitment from the Mayor and Members of City Council, the City of Alexandria, in partnership with its Environmental Policy Commission (EPC), Virginia Tech and the community, embarked on a new initiative – Eco-City Alexandria – early in 2007 which culminated in the Council’s adoption of the Eco-City Charter, the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, in 2008, as well as the Environmental Action Plan 2030 (EAP) in 2009. Since then, the City and its residents have collectively completed numerous actions aimed at fostering the goals of the Eco-City. This report is the first attempt to quantitatively measure the progress that the residents and the City government have accomplished in leading Alexandria further towards environmental sustainability. These quantitative measures are in the form of 20 environmental indicators developed by the EPC in consultation with City staff.
  
• 2012 Alexandria Earth Day to be held at the Ben Brenman Park on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  
  This year’s theme is Eco-City Alexandria, which includes a wide variety of activities and educational exhibits related to the ten sustainability principles outlined in Alexandria's groundbreaking Eco-City Charter and Environmental Action Plan 2030.  This year’s event will include the following:
  • 2nd annual Trashion Fashion Show, where Alexandria City Public School students will showcase upcycling through fashion, art, or song
  • Green Building informational sessions entitled the ABCs of Going Green, Green Landscaping for You and the Bay, and Consumer’s Guide to Purchasing Green Vehicles
  • Educational exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for children
  • Annual tree sale and much more
  • As always, there will be exhibitor tables for non-profits, local organizations, local businesses, and City departments to showcase their particular Eco-City Alexandria merchandise.
• Nomination Deadline for 2012 Ellen Pickering Environmental Award
  
  Deadline is Friday, March 30, 5 p.m.
  
  The City of Alexandria, Environmental Policy Commission, and the Alexandria Sanitation Authority (ASA) seek nominees to the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award to recognize those who help keep the City green. The Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award is named in honor of Mrs. Pickering, who was dedicated to preservation and conservation in the City throughout her life. To qualify for the award, nominees must be residents of the City of Alexandria. Groups, clubs, organizations and corporations must operate within the City of Alexandria.
  
  You may submit your nomination via the Online Nomination Form available at http://alexearthday.org/award.html. Written submissions are also accepted and should be addressed to the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission at the following address:
  
  Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission
  T&ES, Office of Environmental Quality
  Alexandria City Hall
  301 King Street, Room 3000
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  
  Submissions must include:
  
  • The nominee’s name, address, and telephone number, or the key individual to contact if a nominee is not an individual.
  • The name, address, and telephone number of the person nominating the candidate must be included.
  • A brief description (not to exceed one page) of the nominee’s accomplishments and qualifications for the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award.
  

Introduction

Established in 1970 by the Alexandria City Council under Chapter 4, Article M, of the City Code, the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) advises and makes recommendations to the City Council and, where appropriate, to the Planning Commission and City Manager, on matters relating to the following:

• Clean air
• Land use
• Noise pollution and abatement
• Pesticides, herbicides and contaminants
• Solid waste
• Water quality and supply
• Other matters referred to the EPC by the City and citizens
• Other topics relating to the conservation and protection of Alexandria’s environment

The EPC consists of 13 members, including five members from the field of environmental sciences, five citizen-at-large members, one member from the field of urban planning, one member representing the business community and one member with experience in Federal or state environmental statues, regulations, and procedures.  The Commission is supported by the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Office of Environmental Quality.

List of Members  

Scott Barstow (Citizen-at-Large)
Danielle Fidler (Federal/State Environmental Laws)
Geoffrey Goode (Citizen-at-Large)
Jennifer Hovis (Earth Day Committee Chair) (Citizen-at-Large)
Rebecca Jablon (secretary) (Field of Environmental Sciences)
Kurt Moser (Field of Environmental Sciences)
Kristen Nelson (Field of Environmental Sciences)
Peter Pennington (Chair) (Citizen-at-Large)
Josh Sawislak (Urban Planner) 
Heather Schaefer (Citizen)
Phil Voorhees (Field of Environmental Sciences)

The calendar lists all the official meetings and work sessions of the Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) for the period July 2011 - June 2012. These meetings and work sessions are normally held at the City Hall located at 301 King Street, Alexandria at 7:30 p.m. unless noticed otherwise.

Upcoming Events

Previous & Next Events

Annual Reports

• Annual Report 2011
• Annual Report 2010 
• Annual Report 2009
• Annual Report 2008
• Annual Report 2007
• Annual Report 2006 
• Annual Report 2003-2005 

 Eco-City Alexandria 

Beginning in spring 2007, the City of Alexandria partnered with Virginia Tech’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) to design and facilitate a new, strategic collaborative planning process, called Eco-City Alexandria, to create an Eco-City Charter and Environmental Action Plan to guide Alexandria toward sustainability.

For more information regarding Eco-City Alexandria please visit: alexandriava.gov/Eco-City or ecocity.ncr.vt.edu or email Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov 

Additional Information: 

• Eco-City Alexandria Background information & List of Relevant Websites on City's Plans, Programs and Policies
• Eco-City Charter - Alexandria's Vision to Progressing towards Sustainability 
• Environmental Action Plan 2030 - Specific Actions to Fulfill the Vision of the Eco-City Charter
• Virginia Tech Eco-City Web Site 
• Alexandria’s Climate Change Initiatives 

Stay informed with eNews! - Receive information about programs, special events, community meetings, current Eco-City Alexandria events, and more.  Subscribe to eNews category T&ES Environmental News. 

Contact Us 

For more information, please contact:

William Skrabak
Transportation & Environmental Services, Office of Environmental Quality
703.746.4065