On September 16, 2026, the Sierra Club York River Group held its 7th (!) online roundtable meeting on climate solutions. Sustainability managers and representatives from six Peninsula localities provided updates on their existing and proposed programs, working toward the goal of clean energy for the region.
Opening remarks were provided by State Delegate Mark Downey, who represents HD 69 (includes parts of York County, James City County, Gloucester and Newport News).
KC Filippino from Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) gave an update on the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, with HRPDC as the lead for the 17 localities in the Hampton Roads area. With input from localities and citizens, the first Climate Action Plan for Hampton Roads was submitted to the EPA in November 2025. This plan details actions leading to clean energy generation and ensures that low income communities will benefit. See hrpdcva.gov/1135/Climate. Currently, locality workgroups have been established and meet quarterly.
Glen Besa provided a summary of some of the new laws passed in the 2026 in the General Assembly, which benefit residents and localities as we transition to a clean energy world. These include a standardized solar permitting process, a new law allowing “balcony solar panels,” and environmental justice legislation.
Then, sustainability managers and representatives from Virginia Peninsula localities reported on their latest initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via solar, energy efficient building practices, electric vehicles, EV charging stations, large-scale cleanups, and other creative measures.
2026 Roundtable Participants, in order of their presentations:
York County: Samantha McNeil, Outreach Coordinator, Public Works
Williamsburg: Jack Reed, Director of Public Works and Utilities
Newport News: Leah O’Neil, Environmental Sustainability Manager
James City County: Andrea Case, Sustainability Specialist
Hampton: Scott Smith, Coastal Resilience Engineer
Gloucester: George Bains, Interim County Administrator
Link to the HR Climate Hub, Hampton Roads Taking Action, which includes summaries from 2020 through 2025:
https://www.hrclimatehub.org/municipal-actions/hampton-roads-taking-action/