DEQ is committed to leading the Commonwealth’s greening of government efforts. DEQ does this by leading by example, supporting statewide initiatives and highlighting successful programs through the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards.

DEQ uses an Environmental Management System (EMS) to monitor and reduce our environmental impacts. DEQ’s EMS team is comprised of engaged employees from across the agency, who develop strategies to support environmental objectives. DEQ is an E3 member of the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP). Learn more about VEEP and implementing an EMS.

State wide initiatives include:

• Waste Reduction
  • Implement recycling programs. State agencies and public institutions of higher education are required to establish recycling programs.
• Purchasing
  • Encourage environmentally preferable purchasing: Virginia encourages purchases of recycled goods, recycled materials and certified climate positive products.
• Energy Conservation
  • Use energy efficiently and expand use of renewable and carbon-free energy sources by:
    • Reducing electricity consumption by 10% by 2022 using 2006 as a baseline.
    • Producing 30% of Virginia’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
    • Producing 100% of Virginia’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.
    • Achieving energy goals in a just manner that advance social, energy and environmental equity.

Virginia is committed to sustainable energy practices through energy conservation and renewable energy. The Virginia Department of Energy is developing an Energy Dashboard Portal to compile, track and measure state agencies’ energy use.