Community News

• Clean Energy: Rep. Abigail Spanberger has vowed to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), accelerate solar and battery storage projects, and require data centers to pay their fair share of energy costs so Virginians aren’t stuck footing the bill. Additionally, Fairfax County is excited to announce the release of Fairfax Energy Compass, a free program that connects residents with Energy Navigators who help homeowners determine which upgrades make the most sense for their specific situation.

• Transportation: Arlington County is updating its Master Transportation Plan for the first time since 2007, and the County is now seeking public input on draft policies, network maps, and curbside use categories that shape how people move. Residents should make sure to leave a comment before December 7 to push for stronger pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and climate-forward commitments so Arlington becomes less car-dependent and more connected.

• Data Centers: The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has recently announced its decision in Dominion Energy’s historic rate-setting case, a ruling that could lead to the single largest tax increase ever imposed on Virginia residents if they are forced to subsidize the hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure costs needed to support 47 gigawatts of new data center energy demand.

• Pipelines: Two major gas pipeline proposals—the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)’s Southgate Extension and Williams Companies’ Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP)—are now under review as data center development surges across Virginia. Environmental justice advocates warn the pipelines would cut through already burdened communities and undermine the state’s clean energy goals.

• Artificial Intelligence: Continuity gaps within Virginia’s artificial intelligence registry are raising concerns about transparency, oversight, and how AI standards are implemented across state governments, prompting bipartisan legislation aimed at tracking jobs lost to AI. At the same time, just over a dozen school districts, including those in Fairfax and Prince William counties, are embracing AI through a statewide pilot of ChatGPT for Teachers, aimed at giving educators new tools to design lesson plans, personalize instruction, and reduce administrative burden.

Hub Updates

Fill out this form to get involved with your local Advocacy Hub. You'll receive updates for county-specific meetings & events, action alerts, and more! A Hub Leader will reach out to you shortly after submitting.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY (CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY)

In response to the recent government shutdown and the resulting curtailment of SNAP benefits for families in need, the Central Valley Hub are asking tough questions about local sustainable farming and our food supply. A meeting with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is scheduled in December to better understand the problem and explore how it can be addressed. They are considering the following questions: “Do we have food deserts in the Valley? How do we make the food system more resilient both in the face of climate change and government instability?”

Sign up for the “Rockingham County (Central Shenandoah Valley)” FACS Hub’s mailing list to get connected and stay tuned to what’s happening in the Shenandoah Valley.

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Shortly after the special election to fill the Braddock District seat on the Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax Hub will meet virtually to discuss the implications of how that development will influence environmental policy at the county level on Thursday, December 18, at 7 PM. The Hub will also go over key priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session and ways volunteers can take concrete action on the issues they care most about.

LOUDOUN COUNTY

The Loudoun Hub will meet virtually to address how the 2026 General Assembly session will impact the County and outline opportunities for residents to get involved in state-level advocacy on Sunday, December 21, at 1 PM. Contact FACS' Advocacy Director Bryan Scrafford at bryan@faithforclimate.org to get involved.

ARLINGTON COUNTY

At their November meeting, a lay leader from Arlington's St. Peter's Episcopal Church talked about the church’s journey towards sustainability and environmental stewardship. After a clergy member led a process to identify creation care opportunities, the church formed several action focused teams, including one to pursue energy efficiency and solar. Completing an energy audit and multiple building improvements that lower their energy use and increase comfort for their congregants, the church is now working with a vendor to prepare for rooftop solar installation.

📅 Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, December 3, 7 PM, via Zoom. Sign up for the “Arlington County” FACS Hub’s mailing list to get connected and for more information.

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

FACS Advocacy Director Bryan Scrafford led a discussion the day after Election Day on the results and what impact they might have on next year’s statewide climate agenda. The Hub’s Leaders also provided updates on recent local action related to the Green Building Policy and Alexandria City Public Schools’ Sustainability Plan.

📅 Next Meeting: The Hub will meet in 2026 on Wednesday, January 7, at 7 PM. Sign up for the “City of Alexandria” FACS Hub’s mailing list to get connected and receive more information.

FACS' Monthly Sustainability Tip

Do you love traveling during the winter holiday season but want to reduce your impact on the environment? You can do so simply by supporting certified Virginia Green Travel partners—just look for the Virginia Green logo! This is our state’s initiative to encourage green practices in all aspects of Virginia’s tourism industry.