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Fairfax County secures federal CFI funding boost for EV chargers; county plans more public ports and energy-saving retrofits
Summary
County energy staff said an MWCOG award under FHWA's CFI program makes Fairfax eligible for up to $2.5 million over six years to install EV chargers at 25 county properties, and highlighted completed ESPC retrofits that produced strong energy savings and awards recognition.
Kevin Smith, division manager for energy programs, reported to the Environmental Committee that the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments received a $3.9 million grant under the Federal Highway Administration's Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program, of which Fairfax County is a subrecipient eligible for up to $2.5 million over six years.
Smith said the county will use the funds to accelerate installation of publicly accessible EV chargers at about 25 county-owned properties, prioritizing locations in eastern and southern parts of the county and sites such as the Monument Drive parking garage, community centers, libraries and parks. "This grant will be a significant boost to our EV charging station rollout," Smith said.
Smith also summarized recent energy-savings performance contracting (ESPC) projects. He highlighted the Department of Housing and Community Development Pender Building project—a combined package of rooftop solar, HVAC upgrades, LED lighting and low-e window film—that is on pace in 2024 to exceed its guaranteed minimum savings and achieve roughly a 41% reduction in energy use year-to-date, equating to about $44,000 in avoided utility costs so far. The Reston Community Center Hunters Woods ESPC project combined solar, HVAC and EV charging infrastructure, and staff cited broader replication of such deep retrofits across county buildings.
Milestones: Smith said staff will present a fuller operational energy strategy update at the Board's February 2025 meeting, will seek a board item to accept the CFI grant by April 2025 depending on MWCOG contract timing, and will provide CCAP and resilience program updates to the Board in May 2025.
Board members asked about interagency coordination with schools, Park Authority and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Smith said staff are following up with those partners and that additional budgetary details and energy-production/savings forecasts will be provided at future briefings.
