Welcome to VCN’s 2026 Common Agenda, the most comprehensive overview of Virginia’s environmental policy landscape. A collection of papers written by, vetted through, and voted on by VCN’s 170+ Network Partners, this briefing book explains the Commonwealth’s environmental policy background and potential opportunities for clean water & flood resilience, land & wildlife conservation, land use & transportation, climate & energy, and good governance.

Our Common Agenda is published annually and widely circulated to policymakers, educational institutions, civic leaders, environmental advocates, and the public. No matter which of those categories you fit in, VCN looks forward to working with you on the topics in this book.

SAFEGUARDING WATER SUPPLIES

PREVENTING EROSION RUNOFF AND MANAGING STORMWATER

SUPPORTING AGRICULTURE FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

ENFORCING WATER QUALITY STANDARDS

CLOSING THE WASTEWATER GAP

BUILDING RESILIENCE & STRENGTHENING RECOVERY

WETLANDS RESOURCE RESILIENCE ACTION

LIVING SHORELINES FOR COASTAL RESILIENCE

STOPPING PFAS POLLUTION AT ITS SOURCE

PRIVATE WELL HEALTH PROTECTIONS

PREVENTING HARMS FROM METALS MINING

PLASTIC POLLUTION & PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY

PLASTIC-TO-FUEL: A FALSE SOLUTION

LAND CONSERVATION FUNDING: A PRIMER

PROTECTING WORKING FARMS & FORESTS

PROTECTING HISTORIC & CULTURAL RESOURCES

INVESTING IN ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC LANDS

ACCESS TO THE OUTDOORS

LINKING LANDSCAPES FOR WILDLIFE & SAFETY

REBUILDING HEALTHY FISHERIES

PROTECTING FRESHWATER MUSSELS

PRESERVING & EXPANDING TREE CANOPY

PREVENTING HARMS FROM INVASIVE PLANTS

HOUSING FOR THE CLIMATE

ADRESSING DATA CENTER IMPACTS & ENSURING TRANSPARENCY

TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION

EXPANDING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM

EXPANDING RAIL

ACCELERATING OUR TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC CARS

BIKING & WALKING SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY

CONNECTING & INVESTING IN VIRGINIA’S TRAIL NETWORK

BIKING & WALKING SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY

CHARTING VIRGINIA’S CLEAN ENERGY PATH

REJOINING THE REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE

ADDRESSING DATA CENTER ENERGY DEMAND

ENSURING ACCESS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY

BUILDING OUR OFFSHORE WIND FUTURE

MAXIMIZING ROOFTOP SOLAR & DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

ACCELERATING LARGE-SCALE SOLAR WHILE PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES

LEVERAGING BATTERY STORAGE

APPROACHING NUCLEAR WITH CAUTION

PREVENTING NEW FOSSIL FUEL INFRASTRUCTURE

PREVENTING PIPELINE HARMS

RECLAIMING COAL MINES

ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY: BUILDING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE

CURBING MONOPOLY ELECTRIC UTILITY POLITICAL INFLUENCE

SHIFTING UTILITY INCENTIVES TO REDUCE COSTS

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