Regular Features: Social Media Updates | Upcoming Events/Meetings COG Launches WE CAN Save Energy Pilot Program NBC4's Viewpoint Features Recent Work by COG
NTSB, Stakeholders Provide Input to WMATA Governance Task Force During a September 17 meeting at COG, Deborah Hersman, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, and stakeholders representing smart growth and transportation issues, Metro's union, Metro riders, and people with disabilities met with the WMATA Governance Task Force to discuss how the transit system is governed. The Task Force expects to release its report and recommendations in November. To read a Post article on the meeting, click here. To view the meeting summary with links to the stakeholders' written statements, click here. EPC Releases Regional Homeland Security Strategic Plan Following the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the National Capital Region Emergency Preparedness Council released an updated Homeland Security Strategic Plan for the National Capital Region. The plan will guide regional disaster preparations for the next five years, including how the region will spend millions in federal grant funds. To view the plan, click here. Car Free Day Draws Thousands of Pledges, Attention to Commuting Alternatives Over 6,900 area residents in the region pledged to go car free or car-lite for Car Free Day on September 22. A number of regional leaders, including Gabe Klein, Michael May, Harriet Tregoning, and Patrick Wojahn, were featured in a Car Free Day series on The COG Podcast. As one of the cosponsors, Commuter Connections promoted its many free services that can help residents continue to go car free or car-lite throughout the year. For more information, click here. MWAQC Celebrates Clean Air Act's 40th Anniversary During the September meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, members noted the Clean Air Act's role in the continuing improvement of the region's air quality. They also emphasized the decision by local governments in the region to work together with state air quality and transportation agencies to improve the air quality. To read a press release from the meeting, click here.
To visit Region Forward's new Twitter page, click here. For its Facebook page, click here. Click title to view agenda and other information. To view the complete Events Calendar, including special events and meetings of policy and technical committees, click here. October 13: COG Board of Directors For more than 50 years, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, known as COG, has helped develop solutions to issues of regional importance. COG is an independent, nonprofit association comprised of elected officials from 21 local governments, members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, and members of the U.S. Congress. The Metropolitan Memo is sent to COG’s membership of over 250 local, state and federal elected officials as well as regional stakeholders and citizens. To be added to the Metro Memo subscription list or make changes to your subscription, please contact Steve Kania.
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COG is launching Wi$e Energy by Capital Area Neighbors, a pilot educational campaign about residential energy efficiency in the Washington region. Three communities—Brookland, DC, Greenbelt, MD and the Cascades in Loudoun County, VA—have been selected to participate in this pilot program that will run from October 2010 to March 2011. WE CAN includes a website with energy saving tips and access to a platform that allows people who sign up to monitor their energy use, a reward program offered by sponsors based on how much energy participants save, and a friendly competition between individuals and communities for the most energy savings. The campaign will be expanded to other communities in 2011-2012. To visit the web site, 
The September 5th episode of NBC4's Viewpoint show focused on three, key topics for COG and area leaders: air quality, emergency preparedness, and foreclosures. Prince William County Supervisor Frank Principi, who serves as Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness Council at COG, discussed the region's work on homeland security planning. COG Environmental Resources Program Director Joan Rohlfs discussed the region's progress on air quality. Nonprofit Roundtable Executive Director Chuck Bean, discussed the impact of foreclosures as well as a new regional initiative, the Capital Area Foreclosure Network. To watch the episode, 
Show your support for an accessible, sustainable, prosperous and livable future for the National Capital Region and 'follow' COG's Region Forward on Twitter or 'like it' on Facebook.