The following text was taken from an email alert sent out on September 10, 2021. Sign up for PEC email alerts >>
Dear Supporter,
As Loudoun County grows, the board of supervisors has recognized the need for improving environmental sustainability, health and resilience. Protecting natural resources, preserving energy and pivoting to renewable alternatives are essential to those goals.
To that end, this year the board empaneled a new environmental commission, which began meeting in late July 2021.
The commission has two standing committees (natural resources and sustainable energy) and an ad hoc committee focused on public engagement. I serve on the commission as chair, and I participate on the natural resources standing committee and the ad hoc public engagement committee.
The 17 commission members represent a wide range of community, industry and higher education perspectives. They have identified five key topic areas:
- Energy sustainability, including clean and renewable energy usage;
- Enhancing natural resources, such as tree cover, wildlife, watersheds, and conserved land;
- Environmental justice, which examines the impact of environmental issues on historically underserved populations;
- “Government by example,” which includes programs to improve the sustainability of Loudoun County government operations; and,
- Increasing public engagement in environmental and sustainability initiatives.
[View the draft presentation which outlines the five topic areas.]
Within each of these topic areas, the commission has identified a list of projects and priorities. Now the commission is looking to YOU, the public, for feedback.
Provide your feedback
The commission has scheduled a virtual public input meeting on Wednesday, November 17 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to sign up in advance to provide comment during the session, or submit written comments/documents through an online form. The cut-off for advance sign-up is noon on Wednesday, Nov. 17 (the day of the input session). Those who attend the meeting but have not signed up to speak will still be able to submit questions or comments via the chat or the “questions” feature.
Provide written comment
Virtual Public Input Meeting
Wednesday, November 17 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Webex Link / by phone: 1-844-992-4726; Access Code: 2346 399 4224
Sign up to speak
The commission will review the public input for anything that’s missing from its topics and priorities. Then, the board of supervisors will get a full list of recommendations as well as the public input for consideration and approval in January.
The final version of the draft presentation will be presented during the meeting on Nov. 17. It will be available in advance of the meeting along with the proposed list of recommendations on the new Environment webpage. I invite you to visit the Environmental Commission’s webpage and look at the work that the commission has accomplished to date.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions. I hope to see you at the November 17 input session!
Sincerely,
Gem Bingol
Clarke & Loudoun Field Representative
gbingol@pecva.org
540-347-2334 ext. 7041
* Environmental Commission meeting agendas, minutes and supplemental documents can be found here.