About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community & Economy

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Environment

News

News Highlight

COG receives award for Blue-Green Infrastructure project

December 19, 2025

The Regional Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) Community Engagement and Planning Project, completed in collaboration with the District of Columbia and Prince...
News Highlight

Video: Greener rides and rooftops

December 4, 2025

The metropolitan Washington region is on the move toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Through partnerships among local governments, public fleets, and...
News Highlight

COG awards local governments, organizations for climate and energy innovation

October 8, 2025

The 2025 Climate and Energy Leadership Award Winners were the City of Frederick’s Residential Composting Pilot Program, Frederick County’s Green Homes Program,...
News Release

Code Orange unhealthy air forecast tomorrow, July 30, in the DC region

July 29, 2025

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) has forecast a Code Orange air day for tomorrow, July 30 in part of the metropolitan Washington region,...
News Highlight

FARM policy forum discusses opportunities for regional collaboration amid federal cuts to SNAP, food distribution programs

July 24, 2025

On July 18, the COG Food and Agriculture Regional Member (FARM) Policy Committee convened a policy forum at the direction of FARM Chair Andrew Friedson. The...