On July 24, area officials discussed the links between water resources and climate and energy issues at the first joint meeting of two regional policy committees at the Council of Governments—the Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee and the Climate Energy and Environment Policy Committee.

Fairfax County Vice Chair Penny Gross and Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner, who serve as the respective Chairs of the two committees, stressed the need for their groups to work together to advance mutual goals, such as energy efficiency and water and electric power resiliency.

Officials were briefed on a regional tree canopy progress report, which described the benefits of forest cover and urban trees to the region and highlighted local statistics and goals. In addition, a DC Water official gave a presentation on energy efficiency and renewable energy generation at the Blue Plains wastewater plant. To view the tree canopy and DC Water presentations, click here.