The Virginia League of Conservation Voters saluted Del. Alfonso Lopez this week for his legislative work on water quality this year.
Lopez (D-3) was honored alongside Sen. Richard Stuart, a Westmoreland County Republican, on Sept. 1 for joint efforts on legislation requiring testing for PFAS on biosolids applied to farmland.
Arlington residents should expect a couple more seasons of spotted lanternfly infestations before the invasive species’ numbers start to decline.
Birds, bats and perhaps even a specialized type of wasp will likely help to thin the ranks of the lanternflies, which have been damaging native trees and plants since they became a common sight in Arlington around summer 2024.
An Arlington environmental organization is recruiting a new class of “EcoAmbassadors” to lead grassroots efforts and build community coalitions.
The initiative is a joint effort of EcoAction Arlington and Virginia Cooperative Extension. The five-week training program begins in September for volunteers ages 16 and older.
Arlington County is just a few years out from realizing its dream of turning residents’ solid waste into natural gas and consumer-grade fertilizer.
Arlington Re-Gen, a long-awaited upgrade to the county’s wastewater treatment process, is expected to begin producing a product known as “Class A biosolids” by late 2030 or early 2031 — providing more opportunities for the second life of Arlington residents’ No. 2.
A statewide environmental advocacy group has praised Arlington’s recent decision to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.
The Quiet Clean Virginia Foundation sees the County Board’s vote on July 18 as a model for other localities across the state.
Owners of electric vehicles may have to pay more for a charge at Arlington County facilities starting later this year.
The County Board has directed staff to prepare an ordinance to increase charging rates from the current 17.46 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 30 cents per kWh.
It’s official: gas-powered leaf blowers are getting banned in Arlington.
County Board members on Saturday adopted a 29-month phase-out period for gas-powered leaf blowers countywide, a timeframe officials said would help to make sure the transition goes smoothly.
County Board members are approaching a decision this weekend on whether to ban gas-powered leaf blowers in Arlington.
They appear all but certain to vote in favor of the ban, but still seem undecided on the length of the phase-out period. Several County Board members told ARLnow they will be weighing public feedback before taking a position on whether to support a period of 18, 24 or 36 months.
County Board members have voted to consider a transition period of between 18 and 36 months to potentially phase out gas-powered leaf blowers.
On a 5-0 vote, Board members advertised a July public hearing for final action. The proposal features a potential implementation timetable that is longer than some environmental activists want but shorter than some industry leaders say is feasible.
County Board members are approaching an initial vote on potentially prohibiting gas-powered leaf-blowers, but it’s still unclear when such a ban would go into effect.
The Board is slated to vote this Saturday on setting a a public hearing for next month that could start the clock ticking. County staff is sticking with its past recommendation for a three-year phase-in period, unswayed by recommendations by a number of advisory panels for a shorter phase-in period.
A potential ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in Arlington is moving forward, with county staff preparing draft regulations for community and County Board consideration.
Board action as early as this summer could start the clock ticking on a multi-year phaseout period.
County Board members have approved new rooftop solar panels at four more county buildings, including Central Library.
Collectively, the installations are anticipated to save the county government about $850,000 in utility costs over a 25-year period.
