Established in 1970 by the Alexandria City Council under Chapter 4, Article M, of the City Code, the Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) advises and makes recommendations to the City Council and, where appropriate, to the Planning Commission and City Manager, on matters relating to the following as defined in the EPC Bylaws :

• The Climate crisis and its effects
• Clean air
• Land use
• Noise pollution 
• Pesticides, herbicides and contaminants
• Solid waste
• Water quality and supply
• Other topics relating to conservation and protection of environmental conditions in the City of Alexandria, and
• Such other matters as may from time to time be referred to it by the City Council

The EPC currently consists of 13 members, including from the field of environmental sciences, urban planning, the business community, citizen-at-large members, and a member with experience in Federal or state environmental statues, regulations, and procedures. The Commission is supported by the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES), Office of Environmental Quality.

Find out more about City Commissions and vacancies.

Environmental Action Plan 2040 

The updated Environmental Action Plan 2040 (EAP), adopted in July 2019, is the City's comprehensive blueprint for creating a thriving, sustainable community. The City and the Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) collaborated to develop and establish a refreshed, informed, and responsive framework for environmental decision-making going forward.  

• News Release: Alexandria City Council Adopts Environmental Action Plan 2040 and Green Building Policy
• Environmental Action Plan (EAP) 2040
• Environmental Policy Commission Letter of Support
• EAP 2040 Status of Actions, June 2022

Visit the Eco-City Alexandria page to learn more about environmental actions in the City.

DAN BEATTIE, Field of Environmental Science
Current Term: September 13, 2022 - September 30, 2024
Contact: beattiedan at gmail.com

ELDON BOES, Citizen
EAP 2040 Focus Area:  Transportation
EPC Representative to the Waterfront Commission
Current Term:  June 9, 2021 – June 9, 2023
Contact:  ecboes17 at gmail.com

ALEXANDER CLARK, Citizen Member
EAP 2040 Focus Area: Buildings and Transportation
Current Term: February 14, 2023 – February 28, 2025
Contact: Alexander.m.Clark at gmail.com

BENJAMIN CUDDY, Field of Urban Planning
Current Term: September 13, 2022 – September 30, 2024
Contact: bcuddy at gmail.com

JENNIFER DEBIAS, Citizen 
EAP 2040 Focus Area: Implementation, Education and Outreach
EPC Representative to Ad Hoc Stormwater Utility and Flood Mitigation Advisory Group
Current Term:  November 10, 2022 – November 10, 2024
Contact: debiasjl at gmail.com

CYNTHIA ELLIOTT, Field of Environmental Science
EPC Representative to Eisenhower West/Landmark Advisory Group
Current Term: October 2021 – October 2023
Contact: cyn.elliott at gmail.com

OLEKSANDR FARYGA, Field of Environmental Science 
EAP 2040 Focus Area: Transportation
Current Term: December 14, 2021 – December 14, 2023
Contact: ofaryga at outlook.com 

KATHIE HOEKSTRA, Commission Chair, Field of Environmental Science
EAP 2040 Focus Area:  Climate Change and Energy
Current Term:  October 12, 2021 – October 12, 2023
Contact: 391deltacharlie at gmail.com

MICHAEL OLEX, Commission Vice-Chair, Citizen
EAP 2040 Focus Area: Land Use and Open Space
EPC representative to the Open Space Steering Committee
Current Term: January 11, 2022 – January 11, 2024
Contact: mikeolex at aol.com

THERESA ROMANOSKY, Secretary, Environmental Laws and Regulation
Current Term:  November 10, 2022 – November 10, 2024
Contact: theresa.romanosky at gmail.com

MARTA SCHANTZ, Field of Environmental Sciences
EAP 2040 Focus Area:  Green Buildings and Land Use/Open Space
EPC Lead for Oakville Triangle Development and Energy and Climate Change Task Force
Current Term: September 14, 2021 – September 14, 2023
Contact: martalynne14 at gmail.com

JAMES VANDEPUTTE, Citizen Member
Current Term: March 14, 2023 - March 31, 2025
Contact: jamesvandep at gmail.com

ANNA MARINO, Member from the Alexandria Business Community
Current Term: April 11, 2023 - April 30, 2025
Contact: anna at masonandgreens.com

• FY2023 EPC CALENDAR (JULY 2022 - JUNE 2023)

• ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
  

May 15, 2023, EPC Regular Meeting

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Virtual Only

• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Draft 4/17/23 Meeting Minutes
• Summary of Retreat Items & Proposals for Next Fiscal Year
• Crosswalk, organized by focus area : table of Original EPC proposals, City List Provided to Council & Office of Climate Action items 
• DRAFT FY2024 EPC calendar

May 6, 2023, EPC Annual Retreat

The EPC Annual Retreat is May 6, 2023 from 8:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. in the Training Room at 2900 Business Center Drive, Alexandria, Va. 22314.

• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Review of FY23 EPC Successes and Challenges
• Status of EAP Targets, Actions, and Goals, updated February 2022
• EPC Final Legislative Asks for 2023 Session
• EPC Support or Reject Potential Future Bills for General Assembly, 2024 Session
• FY24 EPC Budget Letter
• FY24 Office of Climate Action Budget Proposal Focus Areas
• EPC Letter of Recommended Spending for FY24 Budget of $1.85 mil, June 27, 2022
• Strategic Ways to Meet the Climate Crisis
• Applicable Energy Codes, Slide from PRGS Presentation February 27, 2023
• EPC Letter to Hilco, Reconsidering CSS and Considering EPC Requests & Concerns, January 3, 2023
• Office of Climate Action FY24 Programs and Priorities, May 6, 2023

April 17, 2023, EPC Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, April 17, 2023
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Draft 03/20/23 Meeting Minutes
• EPC Approval of Letter of Support for On-Route Electric Transit Bus Opportunity Chargers
• Draft Letter of Support for the City’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Application
• 2023 DRAFT EPC Retreat Agenda
• FY24 Office of Climate Action Budget Proposal Focus Areas
• EPC Letter of Recommended Spending for FY24 Budget of $1.85mil, June 27, 2022
• EAP2040 Targets & Goals Status, updated February 2022

March 20, 2023, EPC Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, March 20, 2023
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Draft 02/27/23 Meeting Minutes
• Draft Letter, Request from the Office of Climate Action for EPC to support upcoming DASH FTA grant under the Low and No Emissions Bus Grant Program 
• 2022 EPC Letter of Support from EPC for DASH FTA Grant Under the Low and No Emissions Bus Grant Program

February 27, 2023, EPC Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, February 27, 2023
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Draft 01/10/23 Meeting Minutes
• Draft 01/23/23 Meeting Minutes
• Draft 01/30/23 Joint EPC-PC Meeting Minutes
• Presentation for the Coordinated Sustainability Strategy (CSS) for the Former Potomac River Generating Station Site, Alexandria, VA (2/14/23)
• Coordinated Sustainability Strategy (CSS) for the Former Potomac River Generating Station Site, Alexandria, VA (2/14/23)
• Proposed Amendment to EPC Bylaws (DRAFT 2/27/23)

January 30, 2023, Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Charles Houston Recreation Center

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, January 30, 2023  - pending Planning Commission Approval
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• Draft Joint EPC-PC Letter Jan. 26, 2023
• Draft EPC Letter on the ECCAP Jan. 30, 2023

January 24, 2023, EPC-Planning Commission Small Working Group Meeting

7:00 - 8:30 p.m., City Hall Room 1101

•  Draft Joint EPC-PC Letter Jan. 20, 2023 (Updated and posted 1/24/2023)

• Resources

  
  

  • Measured Air Leakage Requirements in Context, Daniel Overbey, 1/21/2022

  • Model 3 Minneapolis Blower Door(TM) Test Results and Sample Test Forms, The Energy Conservatory (TEC)

• Draft Joint EPC-PC Letter Jan. 20, 2023 (Previous Version)

January 23, 2023, Regular Meeting, Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2023
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• December 19, 2022 Draft Meeting Minutes

January 12, 2023, EPC-Planning Commission Small Working Group Meeting (Virtual Only - No Pre-Registration Required)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Documents for Discussion
  • Draft EPC-PC Joint Letter
  • Attachment 1: EPC-PC-TC Joint Letter, 2/2/2022
  • Attachment 2: Air Pollution and Children's Health (NEJM)

January 10, 2023, Virtual Educational Meeting (Virtual Only - No Pre-Registration Required)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, January 10, 2023
• Zoom Meeting Recording
• Agenda

December 20, 2022, EPC-Planning Commission Small Working Group Meeting (In Person Only)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m., City Hall Room 1101

• Meeting Recording (Audio Only)
• Draft 12/20/22 Meeting Minutes

December 19, 2022, Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Final Approved Meeting Minutes, December 19, 2022
• Meeting Recording
• Agenda
• November 21, 2022, Draft Meeting Minutes
• City of Alexandria Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Budget Development Briefing
• Draft EPC Letter to Planning Commission on the Coordinated Sustainability Strategy (CSS) for PRGS Submitted 10/6/2022

December 5, 2022, EPC-Planning Commission Small Working Group Meeting (In Person Only)

7:00 - 8:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000

• Meeting Recording
• Draft 12/05/2022 EPC-PC SWG Meeting Minutes
• Handout from Working Group Member Stephen Koenig
• Public Comments Received 12/4/2022 from Scott Barstow

November 22, 2022, EPC-Planning Commission Small Working Group Meeting (In Person Only)

7:30 - 8:45 p.m., Patrick Henry Recreation Center

• Meeting Recording
• Draft 11/22/2022 EPC-PC SWG Meeting Minutes
• Handout from Working Group Member Stephen Koenig

November 21, 2022, Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000 and Zoom

• Final Approved November 21, 2022, Meeting Minutes
• Zoom Video Recording
• Agenda
• October 17, 2022, Draft Meeting Minutes
• FY2024 EPC Budget Letter
• U.S. Department of Energy, PNNL, Estimated Improvement in Residential and Commercial Energy Codes (1975-2021)
• Energy and Climate Change Action Plan Update Presentation
• Energy and Climate Change Action Plan (October 2022, Draft)
• EPC Feedback on the draft ECCAP (November 2, 2022)

• Coordinated Sustainability Strategy (CSS) for the Former Potomac River Generating Station Site, Alexandria, VA (10/6/22)

• Potomac River Generating Station Presentation, Hilco Redevelopment Partners (Draft)  (Received 8:45 a.m. on 11/16/2022)

• Potomac River Generating Station Presentation, Hilco Redevelopment Partners (Final)  (Received 3:50 p.m. on 11/21/2022)

• Public Comment Received by D. Peabody on EUI Studies

October 17, 2022, Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Patrick Henry Recreation Center and Zoom

• Final Approved October 17, 2022, Meeting Minutes
• Zoom Video Recording
• Agenda
• Sept. 19, 2022, Draft Meeting Minutes

September 19, 2022, Regular Meeting (Hybrid)

7:30 - 9:30 p.m., City Hall Room 2000 and Zoom

• Final Approved September 19, 2022, Meeting Minutes
• Zoom Video Recording
• Agenda
• June 27, 2022, Draft Meeting Minutes
• Duke Street Transitway Update Presentation
• Office of Climate Action Presentation and Focus Areas
• Ranking 2023 Legislative Asks

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Atwood
Senior Environmental Specialist
City of Alexandria, Virginia
Transportation & Environmental Services
Office Phone Number (703.746.4136)
Cell Phone Number (703.201.7993)

melissa.atwood at alexandriava.gov