Photo by Genista.

College Park should be green

UMD for Clean Energy has created a platform for November’s elections for College Park City Council. They hope to push College Park to become a leader in green policies, including low-interest loans for home energy retrofits, bike infrastructure, LEED buildings and more.  

Solar Decathlon

Starting last week, 20 teams from universities around the country have been building energy-efficient prototype houses on the National Mall. The houses are open to the public most days and judging will wrap up this week. Here’s an overview of the various designs. (DOE, Get Energy Smart Now)  

Parking pushback

Rockville merchants oppose evening paid parking, where pay hours in the garages recently extended from 7 pm to 10 (Gazette) … Loudoun teens are upset about having to pay to park at area schools (Post). Neither article says whether the garages in question were full (in which case higher rates help people find spaces) or whether it’s simply a revenue play.  

Green(ish) parking

Designers are finding ways to make parking garages greener, including motion sensors that activate lights, green roofs, and recycled materials. But no matter how green a garage is, the VMT it encourages isn’t green. (USA Today)  

No grid for Benning

The DC Council voted last week to give land at Minnesota and Benning to Donatelli Development without any public right-of-way reserved for a road connection. CSG was very disappointed, writing, “It’s the city’s own land – why wouldn’t it better address the long term needs of the community?” (DCMud)  

“Racial” arguments make HOT suit hotter

Prince William County won’t join Arlington’s lawsuit against the HOT lanes, because of what some call “unfair accusations of racism.” They might file their own, however. Everyone seems oddly worked up over this environmental justice argument in Arlington’s suit, but environmental justice (any disproportionate racial or ethnic impact of a project) is officially part of the EIS process, so Arlington is just covering all the bases. (Examiner)  

Circulator to Rosslyn?

Councilmember Jack Evans is interested in extending the DC Circulator to Rosslyn. It would take the place of the existing business-funded “blue bus” Georgetown Metro Connection. (Examiner, Mike B.)  (Tip: Mike B.)