Environmental Sustainability Council

Meetings

  • Executive Committee
    • 7:30 p.m., third Thursday of each month, excluding August
  • Energy Transition Subcommittee
    • 7:30 p.m., third Thursday of each month, excluding August
  • Education Task Group
    • 4:30 p.m., second Thursday of each month, excluding July & August
  • Habitat Restoration Task Group

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View All Agendas and Minutes

Special Events 

West Falls Church Economic Development Project (WFC EDP) Opportunities for Sustainable Stormwater and Energy Infrastructure (May 2018)

On May 24, 2018, the ESC hosted a follow-up to our February panel discussion (see below) on sustainable and resilient development at the West Falls Church site.  Sustainable infrastructure has the potential to create value and reduce risks for this project and the City as a whole - and must be included at the earliest stages of project planning to be effective. This second panel addressed two important environmental impacts and opportunities in depth:

  • Sustainable stormwater capture: how can we integrate trees, rain gardens and other sustainable landscaping practices into the site to capture stormwater and provide beautiful green spaces for our community?

Maureen Holman (DCW) Sustainable and Resilient Development

Robert Goo (EPA) WFC EDP Green Infrastructure Sustainable Stormwater Capture

  • Sustainable energy infrastructure: how can this site be designed to maximize energy efficiency, use renewable energy sources and ensure the resilience of energy supply?

Mark Bailey WFC EDP Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

Bill Updike (Intergral Group) Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

Our expert panelists were: Robert Goo, Environmental Protection Specialist from EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds; Maureen Holman, DC Water's Sustainability Chief; Mark Bailey, Senior Business Development Manager from WGL Energy; and Bill Updike, Principal, Integral Group. Panelist Biographies.

Following the panel discussion, ESC Chair Cory Firestone Weiss obtained model language for procuring highly energy efficient buildings to support the WFC EDP Request for Detailed Proposals. The language was provided by energy consulting company Seventhwave,  through its Accelerate Performance program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Resilient, Sustainable West Falls Church Economic Development Project Panel (February 2018) 
On February 15, 2018, the ESC hosted a panel discussion to engage City decision-makers and the broader community in a discussion of how the City can integrate environmental and economic sustainability principles into the West Falls Church Economic Development Project, driving resilient development, maximizing environmental benefit, creating place and reducing financial risk.

The panel was recorded and is available to watch below or on YouTube. 



Green Schools Panel (October 2017) 
To contribute to community discussion of the November 2017 high school bond referendum, the City of Falls Church Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) hosted a green schools panel at its October 2017 meeting. With this panel, the ESC sought to engage decision-makers, the community and sustainable buildings experts in a discussion of how the Falls Church City Public Schools system can incorporate high performance, low environmental impact design into its facilities, maximizing benefit to the entire school community.


ESC Members


The nine member Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) Executive Committee is appointed by City Council for three-year terms, with the City's Environmental Programs Coordinator serving as Staff Liaison. Volunteers from the community serve as associate members on the subcommittee for Energy Transition, and the Habitat Restoration and Education Task Groups. The Executive Committee may appoint other persons as consultants. View our ESC Organizational Chart for additional details. 

Staff Liaison
 Kate Walker

City Council Liaison
 Council Member Dan Sze

Overview


The Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC), formerly known as the Falls Church Recycling and Litter Prevention Council, was established in 1989 for the purpose of planning and promoting a comprehensive program of recycling and litter prevention activities. As it expanded and evolved, the ESC and its subcommittees have increasingly addressed a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues important to the quality of life in our community. Areas of focus include:
  
  • Energy efficiency and climate change
  • Sustainable community development
  • Environmental and sustainability education and outreach
  • Habitat and soil restoration
  • Solid waste management
  • Stormwater management

Letters and Reports to Council


Periodically, the ESC is asked to provide Council with comments regarding ordinance changes, commercial development applications, or environmental issues. The ESC has provided multiple comment letters. Click each link below to read the comment letters submitted to Council. To view letters from previous years, contact the City Clerks office.