We spend a lot of time talking about the actions the City is taking to meet our ambitious climate goals. Ensuring new developments are sustainable with the Green Building Plan, adding solar to City facilities to generate clean energy, renovating City Hall with geothermal and water reclamation systems, adding infrastructure to make the City more bike- and pedestrian-friendly, and more. Nearly every action taken by the City has an impact on the environment, and the many Eco-City champions throughout the City make meeting our climate commitments a reality.  

We can’t meet these goals ourselves; each member of the community has an important role to play. Whether it’s a major upgrade like installing a heat pump at home for more efficient cooling (and heating) or opting to take public transit instead of the car, each action counts. And counting those actions is important!  

This month, help us count your actions by letting us know what you’re doing – tag us on social media (@EcoCityALX) or send us an email (Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov). Show us what you’re doing to make Alexandra more sustainable. 

Ryan Freed, Climate Action Officer   

If you’re thinking about going solar, we’ve got a deal for you! The Solarize and Switch Together group buying programs are back for a limited time, offering Alexandrians discounted pricing on installations from pre-vetted installers and support throughout the entire process.  

Solarize ends July 15 and Switch Together ends August 19, so sign up now to get your free, tailored recommendation. There’s no obligation to purchase anything when you sign up. Learn more at Eco-City Homes webpage or visit the program webpages linked above. 

City of Alexandria Participates in Air Quality Action Days 

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) encourages the public to stay informed about air quality alerts and find ways to reduce air pollution as part of Air Quality Action Days from May to September. The City promotes this program to further demonstrate its commitment to clean air.  

What You Can Do to Help  

Individual actions can help reduce the release of harmful emissions. Residents can find many ways to protect their health and improve air quality by using the Clean Air Partners Action Guide. Another important step is signing up to receive Air Quality Action Day alerts at no cost. Small individual choices can go a long way toward improving regional air quality.  

Here are a few actions you can take to help improve air quality:  

• Walk, bike, or ride DASH and other bus services in the Northern Virginia region  
• Avoid mowing your lawn until the evening, or wait for a cooler day 
• Carpool to work with a friend  

One major way to help is understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI) and its categories. This color-coded index is a quick way to learn about current air quality, identify which days may be unhealthy for the general population, and understand what precautions to take, including limiting time spent outdoors.  

Visit the City’s Air Quality website to learn more about how you can help improve air quality.  

Webinar Sister Cities 

On May 27, leaders and residents from Helsingborg, Sweden and Alexandria, VA came together for the Climate Resilience: Sister Cities Solutions Webinar to discuss shared challenges related to coastal flooding and extreme heat. Despite being separated by more than 4,000 miles, both cities highlighted the importance of collaboration, community action, and innovative local solutions to build climate resilience.  

The webinar created an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen the connection between the two sister cities as they work toward a more sustainable future. 

Thanks to Sister Cities Committee member Dale Medearis for the inspiration and helping to organize the event! 

First Plug In Alexandria EV Chargers are Here! 

The Kingsley is the first community from the Plug In Alexandria program to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers, adding four Level 2 chargers in their residential garage. Residents no longer have to rely on public chargers; they can just plug in and wake up to a full battery.  

Janie Kim, Property Manager for The Kingsley, shares that their motivation to participate in Plug In Alexandria and install EV chargers “was to align with the City of Alexandria’s commitment to sustainability and continue moving toward a greener, more environmentally conscious community.” 

About 80% of EV charging happens at home. For many residents of multi-family communities, the one thing standing between them and an EV is not having a charger where they live. EV chargers tend to have an “if you build it, they will come” effect, and the Kingsley is already seeing this play out. “Our residents have been very positive,” Janie shared. “They appreciate the upgrade and are pleased to see the property embracing ecofriendly trends and modern amenities.” 

Plug In Alexandria makes it easier for condos and apartment buildings to provide EV charging for residents. The program provides expert guidance and financial incentives to help navigate the costs, requirements, and opportunities of installing EV chargers.  

Participants receive a reimbursement grant to offset the upfront installation costs. If a community collects usage fees at the charger, they can pay for themselves over time and even generate a new revenue stream.  

Visit the Plug In Alexandria website to learn more about the program.  

Try an E-bike at SoccerFest 

Curious about e-bikes? Stop by the Alexandria Soccer Association’s SoccerFest on Saturday, June 6 from 9 am to 2 pm at George Washington Middle School to try one for yourself! Local Eco-City Business Handy Bikes will have a range of bikes you can take for a spin. 

E-bikes aren't just for recreation. Cargo e-bikes can haul your groceries, tote your kids to school and activities, and handle errands around town without ever circling a city block looking for parking. For families weighing whether they really need that second car, an e-bike might be the answer at a fraction of the cost and with zero tailpipe emissions. 

Stop by, take a test ride, and find out if an e-bike could work for your family! 

Rec Fest 

At RecFest’s 10th anniversary, we connected with kids and parents to share energy efficiency tips. Families learned how to lower bills and were encouraged to sign up for the Eco-City Homes program to learn about home upgrades. 

Bike to School Day 

Families at Naomi Brooks Elementary, Mt. Vernon Community School, and Patrick Henry Elementary showed up for Bike to School Day 2026. 

Riding together helped reduce emissions and traffic on the way to school. Small actions like this can have a big impact for Alexandria. 

Skywarn Class 

On Wednesday, May 6, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) hosted the National Weather Service (NWS) as they delivered a Skywarn class at the Lee Center. Members of the community attended to learn about severe weather and flooding risks and how to become a weather spotter to provide the NWS and OEM with information during severe weather events. 

Community Cookouts  

Wednesday, May 6 was the first cookout of the year, and we had so much fun connecting with the community! 

We shared information about the Eco-City Homes program and ways residents can make a positive environmental impact at home. 

Visit Eco-City Homes webpage to sign up today to have your sustainable actions recognized!

Building Safety Month  

May is Building Safety Month and the Office of Climate Action participated in Alexandria’s Building Safety Month Kickoff Event on May 1 at Waterfront Park. 

Building Safety Month, sponsored by the International Code Council, highlights the importance of safe, sustainable buildings and connects residents, businesses, and visitors with the City’s code officials. City code officials safeguard public infrastructure and services, protect residents from fires, severe weather, and structural hazards, and support sustainable economic growth through the adoption of modern building codes. 

Bike To Work Day  

Friday, May 15 was National Bike to Work Day! With six pit stops throughout Alexandria, this annual free event encourages the public to consider bicycle commuting as an affordable, fun, and environmentally friendly mode of transportation to get to work. 

The City hosted a pit stop in Old Town next to City Hall in the 100 block of North Royal Street. There were grab-and-go refreshments, raffle prizes, and a DJ! Join us at Bike to Work Day in May 2027! 

Eco-City Homes 

When the Benders moved into their 1940s-era Alexandria home, Jim got right to work making energy-saving improvements. “In the ’40s, energy efficiency was not a thing,” Jim said with a laugh. “There was no insulation in the walls and about this much [here, he measured barely an inch between thumb and forefinger] insulation between the attic and ceiling of the second floor.”  

The first upgrades targeted adding thick insulation in the attic, building out 2x4 stud walls from the inside to create space for insulation around the house, and replacing the original single-pane windows. Together, those improvements dramatically increased the comfort of their home while reducing heating and cooling costs. 

More recently, the family installed solar panels. Now, for much of the spring and early summer, their electric bill drops to less than $10, and their home produces more energy than it consumes for about half the year. But beyond the obvious financial and sustainability benefits, the family has also gained a deeper understanding about their energy use.  

“I’ve learned more about how I consume energy from [the app associated with the solar panels] than anything else,” Jim said. The system lets him see exactly when energy use spikes throughout the day, particularly when the AC goes on or they run a load of laundry or the dishwasher. That knowledge has helped his family make choices that save energy and put less strain on the grid.  

“There’s so much we can do to save energy when we put our minds to it,” he said. “Your day-to-day actions have an environmental impact.” 

For Jim, being recognized through Eco-City Homes feels encouraging to keep the conversation going. “I’m glad to be recognized for stuff I’ve been doing all of my adult life, even when it wasn’t that popular” he laughed. “It’s good to promote these actions. I like to see that it’s more of a public dialogue.” 

You can become an Eco-City Home, too! Find the short online sign-up forms for renters, condo owners, and homeowners on the program website. 

Eco-City Business: Pedego 

Todd Ketch, owner of Pedego Alexandria, chatted with us about some of the ways the shop goes green. One easy step was opting for more efficient lighting throughout.  

“The LEDs in the shop were here when we moved in, but then I also replaced all the tube fluorescent lights in the bigger storage area with LEDs. It’s more sustainable, it’s nice that they don’t get as hot, and I like not having to change out lights all the time—the LEDs last forever!” he shared. 

Sustainability and biking go hand in hand(lebar), and he’s been excited to see the rise in electric bikes. “Back when electric bikes were becoming a thing, you’d mostly see interest from retirees. Now, everyone is riding e-bikes: kids getting to school, commuters, and people who are realizing that it’s an easy way to get around town—it’s really nice to not have to find and pay for parking! Plus, we have the best area for it. We don’t just have great trails for biking, but there are actually destinations that you can bike to.” (As I was talking with Todd, he waved to a couple who would be coming back the next day to take some bikes to Mount Vernon.)  

As for being an Eco-City Business? “We love being involved in sharing sustainability resources with Alexandrians. Being an Eco-City Business goes right along with that.” 

Eco-City Staff 

Stevie Mathews (she/her) is the Director of Planning and Schedule for Alexandria Transit Company (DASH). 

How would you describe your role and connection to Eco-City? I oversee DASH’s service planning and technology departments. Using data, these teams determine improvements to transit reliability, efficiency, and access. By optimizing transit service and encouraging mode shift from single-occupancy vehicles, my work helps reduce emissions and supports Alexandria’s Eco-City goals. 

What are you most excited about? I’m most excited about using better data and technology tools to make transit more reliable and easier to use, so more people choose it over driving. Small improvements in service quality can have a big impact on sustainability and equity outcomes!  

Fun fact about yourself? I enjoy translating messy datasets into clear insights—and outside of work, I love working in my garden, hiking with my dog and planning my next travel destination. 

Planning Commission Public Hearing - Tuesday, June 2, from 6:30 -11:59 p.m. 

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Wednesday, June 3, from 7 -11:59 p.m. 

W. Braddock and N. Howard Improvements Open House - Thursday, June 4, from 5 -7 p.m. 

Housing Affordability Advisory Committee - Thursday, June 4, from 6:45 -8:45 p.m. 

Environmental Policy Commission – Monday, June 15, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. 

Waterfront Commission Meeting - Tuesday, June 16, from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.  

AlexRenew Regular Board of Directors Meeting - Tuesday, June 16, from 6 – 8 p.m. 

Board of Architectural Review Public Hearing - Wednesday, June 17, from 7 -11:59 p.m. 

ARHA Redevelopment Work Group - Thursday, June 18, from 5:30-7 p.m. 

Park & Recreation Commission - Thursday, June 18, from 7 – 9 p.m. 

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Regular Meeting - Monday, June 22, from 7 – 9 p.m. 

DASH On-Route Charger Groundbreaking Ceremony - Tuesday, June 23, from 1-2 p.m.