EQAC presents 2024 annual report, urges clearer climate priorities and more funding for county programs

EQAC Chair Larry Zaragoza presented the Environmental Quality Advisory Council’s 2024 annual report to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Committee on Feb. 25, 2025, urging clearer public messaging on climate priorities and increased, stable funding for several county programs.

The council recommended more funding for county climate programs, increased resources for stormwater and flood reduction, setting wastewater treatment fee rates to meet maintenance needs, and more stable funding for the Fairfax County Park Authority. EQAC also recommended simpler public-facing materials for the county’s Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and Resilient Fairfax and urged regular convenings of business leaders in the climate and energy sector.

"It's our intention to provide you with a useful document to advise the board on the environment," Larry Zaragoza said, outlining the council’s two core advice mechanisms: the annual report and memos to the board. He described the council’s priorities in two groups:…