Environmental Policy Commission

The Alexandria Environmental Policy Commission (EPC) was established under Chapter 4, Article M, of the City Code to “advise and make recommendations to the City Council and, where appropriate, to the Planning Commission and City Manager.”

Page updated on Aug 13, 2019 at 3:24 PM

EPC LogoIntroduction

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:

  • Clean air
  • Land use
  • Noise pollution and abatement
  • Pesticides, herbicides and contaminants
  • Solid waste
  • Water quality and supply
  • Other matters referred to the EPC by the City and citizens
  • Other topics relating to the conservation and protection of Alexandria's environment

The EPC consists of 13 members, including five members from the field of environmental sciences, five citizen-at-large members, one member from the field of urban planning, one member representing the business community and one 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.

What's New?



Green building policy Update

City Council included updating to the 2009 Green Building Policy as a priority within the FY 2019 Long Range Planning Work Program.  The City Council will review the policy update at its June 2019 public hearing. For more information: Green Policy Update Working Group

Environmental Action Plan Feedback

Give Feedback on the Draft Environmental Action Plan Update

The City of Alexandria is seeking feedback on the current draft of the Environmental Action Plan update. This is one of the final opportunities for the community to provide online comments. Please review the ten topic areas and short-, mid-, and long-term actions for each, as well as the goals and targets. Email feedback on the plan to Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov.

Read the draft plan

This version of the plan incorporates comments provided by attendees of the March 9 Eco-City Summit, as well as other previous rounds of feedback. The public will have additional in-person opportunities to provide comment at Alexandria Earth Day on April 27.  A final draft, which will include an executive summary,  will be considered by Alexandria City Council at its June 15 public hearing.  Members of the public may provide additional comments at the public hearing. Thank you for your participation in the update process. Community involvement and feedback are critical to making the EAP an effective policy guide.

EPC Letter of support


EAP PHASE TWO

EAP Phase One Update Adopted by City Council

After a year of hard work in collaboration with City staff, the Phase One Update to Alexandria's Environmental Action Plan 2030 (EAP) was unanimously adopted by City Council at the Public Hearing on Saturday, October 13, 2018. The docket items sent for consideration by Council and information about the second phase of the EAP Update process can be found on the Eco-City Alexandria webpage. 

  • To see a copy of the EPC Recommended Actions for the Environmental Action Plan Phase One Update, please see the April 30, 2018 EPC Work Session materials below.

List of Members  

  • Craig Berry (Urban Planning)
  • Eldon Boes  (Citizen)  
  • Vacant (Field of Environmental Science)
  • Geoffrey Goode (Citizen)
  • James Hook ( Field of Environmental Science)
  • Vacant (Citizen Member) 
  • James Kapsis,  Vice-Chair (Citizen)
  • Praveen Kathpal,  Chair (Field of Environmental Science)
  • Michael Kulas (Citizen)
  • Brendan Owens (Environmental Laws)
  • Carolyn Schroeder (Field of Environmental Science)
  • Reid Sherman (Citizen)
  • Humza Arshad Arshad (Alexandria Business Community) 

Work Sessions and Regular Meetings

FY2019 EPC Calendar (July 2018 - June 2019)


June 17, Meeting

June 3, 2019 Work Session

May 6, 2019 Work Session

April 22, 2019 Meeting

April 1, 2019 Work Session

March 18, 2019

March 4, 2019 Work session

February 25, 2019

No work session in February

January 28, 2019

January 14, 2019 Work Session (PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE: COUNCIL WORK ROOM)

December 17

December 3, 2018

November 19, 2018 Regular Meeting


November 5, 2018 Work Session PLEASE NOTE ROOM CHANGE: Room 1101 City Hall

October 15, 2018 Regular Meeting

October 1 Work Session is cancelled.

September 24, 2018 Regular Meeting


September 2018: No Work Session due to Annual Retreat

September 8, 2018 Annual Retreat

August 20, 2018 Work Session


FY2018 Meetings and Work Sessions


June 18, 2018 Regular Meeting

  1. Agenda
  2. Calendar
  3. Staff Response to EAP
  4. EAP Schedule
  5. BC Legislative Proposal


June 2018: No Work Session


May 21, 2018 Regular Meeting


May 7, 2018 Work Session - Cancelled


April 30, 2018 Work Session


April 23, 2018 Work Session


April 16, 2018  Work Session


April 2, 2018 Work Session


March 22, 2018 PC/EPC Joint Work Session on the Environmental Action Plan Update


March 19, 2018 Work Session


March 10, 2018 Eco-City Cafe at the Durant Center


March 5, 2018 Work Session


February 26, 2018 Regular Meeting


February 2018: No Work Session due to Winter Retreat


February 3, 2018 Winter Retreat


January 22, 2018 Regular Meeting


January 8, 2018 Work Session - Cancelled


December 18, 2017 Regular Meeting


November 13, 2017 Regular Meeting


October 30, 2017 Work Session (in lieu of November 6)


October 16, 2017 Regular Meeting


October 2, 2017 Work Session


September 9, 2017 Annual Retreat


FY2017 Meetings and Work Sessions

June, 19, 2017 Regular Meeting


May 15, 2017  Regular Meeting


May 1, 2017 Work Session


April 17, 2017 Regular Meeting


April 3, 2017 Work Session


March 13, 2017 Regular Meeting


February 27, 2017 Work Session


January 23, 2017 Regular Meeting


December 2016 - Regular Meeting cancelled


November 21, 2016 - Regular Meeting


October 17, 2016 - EPC Public Meeting on Proposed Stormwater Management Fee


September 19, 2016 - Regular Meeting


Regular Meeting or Work Session Materials prior to FY2017 available on request. 

Annual Reports

Eco-City Alexandria 

Beginning in spring 2007, the City of Alexandria partnered with  Virginia Tech's Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) to design and facilitate a new, strategic collaborative planning process, called Eco-City Alexandria, to create an Eco-City Charter and Environmental Action Plan to guide Alexandria toward sustainability.

For more information regarding Eco-City Alexandria please visit alexandriava.gov/Eco-City or email Eco-CityAlexandria@alexandriava.gov 

Additional Information 

Eco-City Progress Report & Key Environmental Indicators


EPC Letters and Memos 


Eco-City Alexandria Documents

Eco-City Alexandria Background Information & List of Relevant Websites on City's Plans, Programs and Policies  

Eco-City Charter - Alexandria's Vision to Progressing towards Sustainability 

Environmental Action Plan 2030 - Specific Actions to Fulfill the Vision of the Eco-City Charter

Alexandria's Climate Change Initiatives 


Stay informed with eNews! - Receive information about programs, special events, community meetings, current Eco-City Alexandria events, and more.   Subscribe to eNews  category T&ES Environmental News. 

Contact Us 

For more information, please contact:

William Skrabak
Transportation & Environmental Services, Office of Environmental Quality 
703.746.4065

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