FACS Monthly News

Local climate solutions powered by faith communities.

Looking Back at 2024 with Our Annual Report

“When I look back over 2024, and consider the entire year, it’s clear that it was a remarkable time in our history.” — Scott Peterson, FACS Co-Founder & Board Chair

2024 was a monumental year for FACS. We welcomed our first-ever statewide Advocacy Director, launched FACS’ Leadership Circle, and jumpstarted the Power of Faith Fairfax program. We hosted powerful events—from our Climate Crisis Forum on sustainable schools in Northern Virginia to an urgent campaign that delivered air conditioning units within 48 hours to low-income residents at Harmony Place Mobile Home Park. Not to mention, we celebrated a series of first-ever advocacy wins that moved the needle on local climate policy and community resilience.

See Our 2024 Annual Report

Welcome FACS’ Newest Board Members!

We are delighted to welcome Elizabeth “Betty” Ende, Jerry Hartz, and Jamie Michael Kern to the FACS Board of Directors! Each brings a wealth of experience and insight that will strengthen our mission as we enter a new chapter of local climate leadership. Their guidance will help shape our advocacy, programs, and partnerships for years to come.

See Their Bios

Faith in Action – What Does It Mean to Have "Faith in Action"?

“What kind of world do we want to help build? One where everyone has food, clean water, shelter, medicine, and safety? One where we halt global overheating? What would that look like?”

Closing out her service on the FACS Board of Directors, Kris Rosenthal shares a powerful message: no single technology, policy, or group will solve the climate crisis alone. She challenges us to move forward with imagination, heart, and the commitment to work side by side to create our future.

Sustainable Farms Tour in the Shenandoah Valley

Sat | Sept 20 | @Jubilee Climate Farm & Second Mountain Farm

The Central Shenandoah Valley Hub is organizing a special tour and festival celebrating sustainable, local farms in the Shenandoah Valley. Attendees will learn about carbon farming, agroforestry, and certified organic practices while exploring how faith communities can support small, regenerative farms that reduce carbon footprints and support migrant communities. The day will wrap up with a celebration of earth’s bounty and a flourishing, climate-wise ecosystem.

Interested in attending? Contact Wayne Teel at teelws@jmu.edu.

Sun Day Kickoff

Sun | Sept 21 | 10 AM–12 PM | @Louise Archer Elementary

Start your Sunday with sunshine and celebration! We’re marking the launch of Fairfax County Public Schools’ first of 35 approved solar installations, plus the arrival of 17 new electric school buses! This family-friendly party features:
🎶 Live music
🍧 ESB-powered snow cones
📖 Solar story time
🌿 Student-led sustainability demos
🧠 Local climate group tables
📍 Don’t forget your Sun Day passport for prizes!

Tour a Net Zero Home in Downtown Vienna

Sun | Sept 21 | 12–4PM | @214 Ayr Hill Ave NE, Vienna, VA

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of a newly built PHIUS-certified net zero home—a model for the sustainable homes of the future. Learn how this homeowner dramatically reduced energy use, improved indoor air quality, and created a quiet, comfortable living space. Volunteer Electric Coaches from GoElectricDMV will be on site to help you start your own home electrification journey!

Reserve Your Spot

Climate Crisis Forum

Sun | October 5 | 3–5 PM | @South Lakes High School

Grab a ticket for our 9th Annual Climate Crisis Forum, the first dedicated specifically to exploring the impact of data centers on consumers and the environment. Panelists will highlight how these facilities influence local climate resilience, energy demand, and community well‑being.

Grab a Ticket

Community News

Solar: Virginia solar installers are bracing for the rollback of the federal rooftop solar tax credit and a possible statewide decision to allow Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power to reduce net metering rates.

Invasive Species: Loudoun County is hosting information sessions for their new Invasive Plant Species Management Program to provide an overview of the program and how to prepare for the application process opening this fall.

Public Transit: Arlington’s Disability Advisory Commission has raised serious concerns about the county’s Specialized Transit for Arlington Residents (STAR) program after an audit revealed major operational and oversight deficiencies.

Climate Action: The City of Alexandria is partnering with EcoAction Arlington to launch EcoAmbassadors, a new volunteer training program aimed at mobilizing residents to take climate action in their neighborhoods.

Data Centers: Google just announced that they will invest an additional $9 billion in Virginia by 2026, starting with a new 300-acre data center in Chesterfield County and expanding existing facilities in Loudoun and Prince William counties, receiving Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s approval.

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.

ARLINGTON COUNTY

In August, the Arlington Hub revisited its climate action priorities, with a focus on increasing opportunities to work with Arlington’s faith communities to advance their climate and energy goals, in partnership with energy experts and county leaders. They also discussed upcoming important Arlington policy updates covering commercial buildings and gas powered leaf blowers.

📅 Upcoming Event: Matt deFerranti, Arlington County Board Vice Chair, will share a new climate initiative that will reach out to Arlington’s faith communities on Wednesday, September 3, at 7:30 PM. Sign up for the “Arlington County” FACS Hub’s mailing list to receive meeting details.

FAIRFAX COUNTY

📅 Upcoming Event: As we head into fall and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, the Fairfax Hub will welcome a member of the General Assembly at its next meeting on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 PM. The discussion will cover issues on the radar of local officials, along with updates on FACS’ advocacy priorities in the coming months.

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

The City of Alexandria is currently updating its Green Building Policy (GBP), which sets minimum green building standards for new developments and major renovations. The GBP focuses on reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emission reduction, promoting water conservation, and improving indoor environmental quality. They are also partnering with Build Our Future to encourage city leaders to adopt better standards that match the county’s aspiration of being an Eco-City.

📅 Upcoming Event: GoElectricDMV’s founding coaches will share resources and how you can take steps forward in your electrification journey on Wednesday, September 5, at 7 PM. The Hub will also share updates on their work on the city's Green Building Policy that is being revised on a very short timeline and Alexandria City Public Schools’ proposed Sustainability Plan.

📍 Sign up for the “City of Alexandria” FACS Hub’s mailing list to get connected and receive more information.

LOUDOUN COUNTY

At its August meeting, the Loudoun Hub welcomed Brian Magrun, Board Member of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, who shared strategies for enhancing biodiversity in the county—from a potted plant on a deck to advocating with your HOA.

📅 Upcoming Meeting: Their next Hub meeting will be on Sunday, September 28, at Leesburg Presbyterian Church. Sign up for the “Loudoun County” FACS Hub’s mailing list to get connected and receive more information.

📍 Important Note: The Hub would be pleased to hold a meeting at your congregation. Feel free to invite us via email at info@faithforclimate.org!

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY (CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY)

The Central Shenandoah Valley Hub continues to organize their Sustainable Farm Tour on Saturday, September 20. They see this gathering as a first step to starting a coordinated effort to increase opportunities for small and medium sized sustainable farms with a strong local sales system. Issues discussed will include land availability; networking among small farms; value-added production; biodiversity, soil health, and carbon capture; farm labor amidst ICE deportations; and energy inputs on farms/going solar.

Contact Wayne Teel at teelws@jmu.edu if interested in attending.

FACS' Monthly Sustainability Tip

With schools back in session, help cut down on air pollution and emissions by turning off your car during “kiss and ride” pick-ups and drop-offs. Idling wastes fuel, harms air quality, and contributes to climate change. You can also reduce emissions by planning multiple errands in a single trip and choosing walking, biking, or transit whenever possible. Small changes add up to a healthier community and planet!

Inspired to give beyond time and talent?

Donate Today and Support Our Work!