By Brad Swanson: What motivates a man to spend more than two decades – and counting – as a volunteer running a farmers market? In the case of John Lovaas, a manager of the award-winning Reston Farmers Market, the answer…
Category: Environment
Under my leadership, says Plerhoples, Fairfax will be a greener county
By Alicia Plerhoples: Alicia Plerhoples is a candidate for chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in the Democratic primary on June 11. Fairfax County is one of the best educated and wealthiest communities in the country. Fairfax voters…
Fairfax Dems endorse for Soil & Water Board
Chris Koerner, Gerald Peters and Monica Billger were endorsed for Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District director by Fairfax County Democratic Committee on Tuesday night, May 21. The three candidates, in the order above, were the top vote-getters in…
Meet the candidates for Soil and Water Conservation District
Candidates for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District say what motivates them to seek a seat on the board and why they are qualified to serve as stewards of the environment. They made their comments at a recent forum.…
Solar panels for up to 200 Fairfax schools and govt. buildings
By Brad Swanson: Fairfax County will seek bids shortly to install solar panels at more than 200 school and government buildings, aiming to decrease electric costs and curb greenhouse emissions. Solar panel installers will be asked to propose terms for…
First Person: Want to know what matters most to Fairfax high school students? Let one tell you
By Trisha Rahman: As a student currently attending a Fairfax County Public high school, I am familiar with many of the issues high school students care about. Yes, we think about test scores, our football team stats, even Ariana Grande’s…
Our schoolchildren need expanded Enviro Ed – Melanie Meren
By Melanie Meren: For the kids, families, and our furry friends we bring to outdoor spaces, it’s critical to remember that it’s the hard work of county officials that preserves our environment and connects us with nature. I want to…
New law lets Virginia localities sell green energy back to power companies
By Susan Laume: Local governments in northern Virginia and elsewhere in the Commonwealth can now generate up to 30 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy for sale back to the power grid, thanks to recently passed legislation sponsored by state Del.…
Winter Arrives
Most schools were closed Monday after six to 12 inches of snow fell on Northern Virginia. Children enjoyed the day sledding, making snowmen and having snowball fights while grownups shoveled snow or took a walk in the woods. It was…
Sierra Club awards Va. Del. Kathy Tran for promoting solar energy
By Susan Laume: The Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club presented Virginia Del. Kathy Tran (D-42) with their Energy Freedom Award on Sunday, Jan. 6, citing her sponsorship of two bills in last year’s legislative session supporting solar energy. Although…
Air Board to decide whether massive pipeline compressor can go into historic Black community
By Dr. Vivian Thomson: Is an African American community in rural Virginia the right place to put a massive compressor station for a natural gas pipeline? This is the question the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board will consider at their…
Resolutions: For me, myself and a better planet
Ed. Note: Are you making resolutions for the New Year? Tell us about them! newsletter@fairfaxdemocrats.org By Mala Rajamani: As I disentangle from the anticipations, the optimism and the ‘joie de vivre’ of the holiday season, and peer into the year…
Northam threatens Air Board independence on eve of controversial decision
By Roberta Kellam and Dr. Vivian Thomson: Ed. Note: The authors formerly served on state environmental regulatory boards. Their views are personal. Gov. Northam has failed the citizens of Virginia with his sudden decision to appoint two new members to the…
Healthcare and environment top priorities for Fairfax senior Democrats
By Richard Cramond: The top personal concern for Fairfax County senior Democrats is healthcare, with environment number two, according to a survey by the Senior Affairs/Advocacy Committee of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC). The survey in July went to…