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City Council approves new energy standards for developments in Alexandria

Published January 27, 2026 at 11:50AM

Attendees at City Council's Jan. 24, 2026 public hearing (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Council approved new environmental standards for the development review process on Saturday, following testimony from dozens of public speakers on climate change and impacts on housing development.

The new Green Building Plan is an update to the 2019 Green Building Policy, which set standards for new public and private renovations needing site plan or special use permit approval. The plan focuses on a measure of energy used by a building called Energy Use Intensity (EUI), rather than specific sustainability certifications like LEED.

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Northern lights could return to N. Va. skies tonight after Tuesday auroras

By Katie Taranto and The Associated Press

Published November 12, 2025 at 1:30PM

The northern lights fill the sky behind the Saint Joseph the Woodworker Shrine Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, near Valley Falls, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Solar storms brought colorful auroras to unexpected places last night (Tuesday), and there could be more to come across the D.C. area this evening.

Space weather forecasters confirmed that storms reached severe levels Tuesday, triggering vibrant northern lights as far south as Kansas, Colorado and Texas. In Virginia, residents posted about aurora sightings from northern localities like Arlington and Vienna, and out west in Rockingham County.

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Alexandria residents have limited time left to claim federal solar tax credit

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 29, 2025 at 5:00AM | Updated July 29, 2025 at 5:57AM

Solar panels (file photo)

Alexandria residents interested in installing solar panels have less than five months remaining to take advantage of a 30% federal tax credit before it expires at the end of 2025.

The federal residential solar tax credit is set to end after Dec. 31, 2025, due to recently passed federal legislation, according to a Monday press release from the City of Alexandria. To qualify for the credit, expenditures must be completed by the deadline.

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Alexandria homeowners can get a tax exemption by installing solar this summer

By James Cullum

Published July 5, 2023 at 1:15PM

Solar panels (file photo)

This summer, Alexandria is offering real estate tax exemptions for homeowners who install solar energy equipment in their homes.

The 2023 Solarize Alexandria program started this month and ends on August 31. It includes a free assessment, as well as discounts for tax-deductible olar equipment.

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Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 10, 2019 at 8:00AM | Updated December 10, 2019 at 9:25AM

Amazon Presence on Innovation Campus? — “Virginia Tech leaders and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) executives are working toward a partnership that could give the company’s cloud computing arm a home at the $1 billion innovation campus at Potomac Yard.” [Washington Business Journal]

Underage Drinking Prevention Town Hall — “On Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria will host a town hall discussion titled, ‘Healthy Youth, Healthy Families: Promoting Alcohol-Free Holidays.'” [Zebra]