Did You Know?

On January 29, 2010 President Obama announced that the Federal Government will reduce its greenhouse gas pollution 28% by 2020. More >>

The Federal Government is the nation's largest energy consumer. Its spending on fuel and electricity totaled $24.5 billion in 2008.

95% of NCPC's employees commute to work by walking, biking, or taking public transit.

Key Planning Areas

Parks and Waterfronts

Commemoration


Urban Design

Sustainability

Transportation

Revitalization

Security

Embassies



Sustainability

NCPC is working to make the National Capital Region a model of environmental sustainability.

Federal Environment Element

As part of its ongoing update of the Federal Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the Nation's Capital, NCPC recently adopted updated policies for the Federal Environment Element.

The policies in this element reflect current federal goals regarding sustainability, environmental issues, and best environmental planning practices. The element has updated existing policies as well as new policies that address light pollution, climate change, and energy conservation.

The policies in the updated element will not take effect until the Commission adopts updates to all seven existing elements and the new Urban Design Element under development. NCPC anticipates completing the update process for all elements by spring 2013.

Learn more about the Comp Plan >>

Southwest Ecodistrict

New federal buildings already meet stringent energy efficiency criteria, but sustainable planning requires a broader perspective.

The Southwest Ecodistrict will showcase how federal districts—buildings, the spaces around them, and their related infrastructure—can function as an environmentally low-impact unit.
The project will lay out strategies for staying within an annual rainfall and solar budget, with the eventual goal of becoming carbon neutral.

The project began in February 2010. A draft plan with recommendations was released in July 2012, with a final plan is slated to be adopted in early 2013.

Related Materials

NCPC's Strategic Sustainability Plan

Comprehensive Plan:
Federal Environment Element

Monumental Core Framework Plan

Flooding Report

CapitalSpace

Video: Sustainability

 

 

Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Executive Order 13514, signed by President Obama in October 2009, requires all federal agencies to establish and meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Helping Other Agencies

NCPC is revising its policies and review requirements pertaining to federal facility site selection, transportation planning, and building design. The new guidelines will help ensure that federal agencies meet their greenhouse gas reduction goals.

A Peak at Progress - Federal Sustainability One Year Later

On October 20, 2010, NCPC gave a progress report on how federal agencies are stepping up, leading the way, and demonstrating innovation in order to meet the new requirements.

See a video summary of the event >>

Pulling Our Own Weight

NCPC submitted its first Agency Strategic Sustainability Plan to the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget in June 2010. This plan, which NCPC is required to update annually, sets targets for the agency’s reduction in greenhouse gases over the next ten years. NCPC is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by limiting resource consumption on site. This includes switching to double-sided printing, using a water filtration system to discourage the use of water bottles, discouraging the use of plastic plates and utensils, and promoting recycling. The agency continues to seek ways to meet its reduction goals, from traveling to meetings on agency bicycles, to implementing water reduction and energy efficiency measures.

Other Federal Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plans are available on the White House website.

Green Urban Design

The 2009 Monumental Core Framework Plan envisions dozens of exciting urban design projects that provide opportunities for employing best practices in sustainability.

The center of the capital city can be a showplace for high performance buildings, green infrastructure, and energy efficient transportation.