COG Joins the Cool Capital Challenge

February 2008 - The COG Board of Directors endorsed the “Cool Capital Challenge,” a grassroots campaign to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion pounds by the end of the year. The challenge was launched in April 2007 by volunteers from businesses, government agencies, congregations, and community and environmental organizations. View more details in the press release.

New Air Quality Particulate Plan Approved

March 2008 - The Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) has approved a new air quality plan to reduce fine particle pollution in the region. MWAQC’s new plan goes beyond Clean Air Act requirements in an effort to gain further reductions in fine particle pollution. Fine particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air. At 2.5 microns in diameter, the small particles can get deep into lungs and even the bloodstream. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from this type of pollution.

The plan, adopted March 7, 2008, will be submitted by the states to EPA to meet the April 5, 2008 deadline. The plan is available on the COG website.

New Climate Change Web Section

February 2008 - COG has launched a new Climate Change section of its Web site to support the work of the Climate Change Steering Committee.

Fourth Edition of Air Quality Newsletter Released

January 2008 - COG has published the fourth edition of Air Currents, a periodical discussing issues that the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) is currently facing. It is designed to inform MWAQC members about air quality planning and progress in the months between regular MWAQC meetings.

MWAQC Releases New Air Quality Plan for Comment

January 2008 - the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) has approved for comment an air quality plan to reduce fine particle pollution in the region. Fine particle pollution is a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in air. At 2.5 microns in diameter, the small particles can get deep into lungs and even the bloodstream. People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from this type of pollution. View the press release for more detail.

The states' comment period will end with public hearings in the region January 28 - February 11. View the flyer for exact times.   The plan is available on the COG website for review. Comments may be submitted via e-mail.

Green Building Report Released

July 2007 -This Greening the Washington Metropolitan Region’s Built Environment report by the Intergovernmental Green Building Group (IGBG) of COG explores issues related to building practices and the region’s environment, reviews best practices and green building standards, and offers recommendations that local governments and COG can implement to improve the performance of buildings region-wide. Comments are due to George Nichols by close of business September 10th.

Green Building Conference

COG hosted a Green Building Strategies Conference in 2006 to review practices and policies and
to move toward making the Washington region a national model for Green Building innovations. View the conference report.

Builders' Recycling Guide Released

COG published the Builders' Guide to Reuse & Recycling in 2006 to facilitate the best handling of construction and demolition debris. The directory is a pocket-sized book for contractors that lists more than 100 businesses in the region. Visit the project Web site at www.BuildersRecyclingGuide.com for the latest information.

Wood Waste Utilization Workshop

June 2006 - Urban forests in the metropolitan Washington region produce a great quantity of wood from tree removals, storms and routine tree maintenance, and previously, this material has been chipped for mulch at best. The Waste Wood Utilization Workshop brought together people on the cutting-edge of developing technologies and programs to put otherwise discarded raw timber to good use. The workshop was held on June 28, 2006 at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. View the full news story or the meeting documents from June 28.

Workshop Highlights Hydrogen Technology

May 2006 - During a special workshop held at COG on May 23, government officials joined industry experts in discussing the newest research in alternative fuels. The one-day session, cosponsored by COG and the National Hydrogen Association (NHA), focused on the production of hydrogen as an alternative source for generating electricity and fueling vehicles in the metropolitan region. View the full news story or the meeting documents from May 23.

COG Focuses on Environmental Conservation at Schools

April 2006 - COG hosted a symposium on the value of environmentally sound school facilities, both in the metropolitan Washington region and throughout the country. The highly popular event, “High Performance Schools: A Regional and International Perspective,” was attended by energy managers, planners, architects, building representatives, federal and local school administrators, and developers interested in learning about new green school designs and renovations. View the agenda and presentations from the April 24 event on the Energy Policy Committee documents page. For more information, contact Leah Boggs.

Workshop on Managing Urban Stormwater

April 2008 - On Monday, April 28, 2008, COG’s Water Resources Technical Committee held an all-day workshop on managing urban stormwater.  The workshop addressed critical regulatory, policy and technical issues affecting stormwater programs in the COG region and elsewhere.  Workshop participants included federal, state and local governmental representatives, NGOs and others with a stake in the rapidly evolving nature of stormwater management.  Visit the workshop page for more detail.

Potomac Monitoring Forum 2008

March 2008 -On March 10 & 11, COG hosted the Potomac Monitoring Forum 2008 at Cacapon Resort State Park in Berkeley Springs, WV. This two day forum offered those involved in water monitoring and water quality management an opportunity to see presentations, talk about current issues, network with colleagues, share successes, and go back to their own programs with new ideas. Visit the forum page for more detail.

Healthy School Summit

October 2007 -On October 31, COG hosted those in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., that are involved in green building design, school management, nursing, education and advocacy at a Healthy School Summit. Participants learned about problems and solutions for children's health issues in the school buildings in our region from health, education and environmental experts. The Summit also provided an opportunity for participants to connect, share experiences and opportunities, and develop relationships that will support healthy school activities in the ‘07–‘08 school year. View the summit agenda.

New Air Quality Plan Approved

May 2007 -On May 23, the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC) approved its air quality plan for the region, paving the way for state air agencies to submit the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. The Plan, called a State Implementation Plan (SIP), presents air quality data showing the region will meet the federal standard for ozone -- a harmful gas formed when the sun heats polluted air -- by the fall of 2009. Board approval of the plan followed a 30-day period for public comment that ended in April. Today's decision comes at the start of ozone season, when air quality forecasts are available daily. You may view the plan.

Officials Tour LEED-Certified Building

On December 1, 2006 COG officials had an opportunity to tour the National Association of Realtors (NAR) new headquarters green building located at 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW. View a summary of the tour and the related news story.

Regional Energy Plan

July 2006 - The CAO Energy Advisory Subcommittee recently completed a Regional Energy Strategic Plan entitled Powered by Energy Efficiency – Fueled by Energy Conservation. The Strategic Plan outlines an energy vision and mission for the National Capital Area and it expands the existing COG energy and environmental goals. The Plan focuses on actions that COG and its members can take to help the region adjust to a new energy environment. The Strategic Plan identifies potential strategies that would expand the Region’s variety of energy sources, manage its energy demand, lessen the effects of energy disruptions, and enhance overall environmental quality. View the plan and its executive summary.

Daily Air Quality Forecasts

COG issues daily air quality forecasts for the metropolitan area. The system uses a color code indicator to warn about unhealthy air. View the Forecast and Data pages for more information.

Green Infrastructure Project Publishes Tour

Take a Virtual Green Infrastructure Tour of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Visit the Green Infrastructure page for more details.

Air Quality Trends Report Released

COG Issued the new report - Air Quality Trends: Metropolitan Washington Region 1993-2004. It presents air quality data analysis for all criteria pollutants during an eleven year period.

Chesapeake Bay Video Released

November 2005- COG has released a new video that discusses the environmental degradation in the Chesapeake Bay and how local governments are responding to the problem. View the video on the Web.