Metropolitan_Washington_Council_of_Governments

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is an independent, nonprofit association designed to address regional issues confronting Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia. It was founded in 1957.

Quick Facts Formation, Type ...

MWCOG comprises 24 local governments in the Washington metropolitan area, including the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. About 300 local, state, and federally elected officials make up its membership.[6][7] and formally incorporated on May 28, 1965.[8]

Functions

Transportation

MWCOG has provided leadership in supporting the development of transportation facilities in the region, including the Washington Metro subway system and Washington Dulles International Airport.[7]

MWCOG supports the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the metropolitan Washington area. The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board is responsible for ensuring state and federal approval of funding for transportation projects. National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board became associated with MWCOG in 1966.[9] National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board's data informs officials on subjects like regional travel patterns and highway and transit performance. Recent projects include identifying regional transportation priorities and funding strategies, improving access for people with disabilities, and better coordinating transportation and land use decisions.[citation needed]

Environment

Through the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, which is the entity certified by the mayor of Washington, D.C. and the governors of Maryland and Virginia to prepare an air-quality plan for the Washington metropolitan area under the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990,[10] officials prepare clean air plans.[11] These plans have led to steady improvement in regional air quality.

MWCOG supports ongoing efforts to revitalize the Chesapeake Bay, the Anacostia River, other local waterways, and wastewater and storm-water planning, and water-supply protection.[12]

MWCOG guides the regional effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by promoting alternative energy sources, energy conservation, and green building[13] and fleet policies.

Planning and housing

MWCOG's Community Planning and Services program promotes a strong economy, sustainable growth, and housing options for all residents. MWCOG offers strategies for more development in the region's mixed-use activity centers and provides the region with population, employment, and housing forecasts, and data on area industries and labor, affordable housing, and homelessness.

MWCOG regularly measures progress towards the goals of "Region Forward", a long-term sustainability-planning process initiated in 2008.[14][15]

Public safety and health

MWCOG's public safety and health program brings together area officials, emergency planners, and first responders to improve homeland security and emergency preparedness.

MWCOG provides regional crime reports and convenes conferences on topics such as preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, gangs, and childhood obesity.

Member Jurisdictions

More information Member, Location ...

Chairpersons

More information Council of Governments Board of Directors Chairmen, Year(s) ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Guidstar. June 30, 2017.
  2. [2]
    "Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments". Exempt Organization Select Check. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. [3]
    "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Guidestar. June 30, 2015.
  4. [4]
    "". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  5. [5]
    "". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
  6. [6]
    "Washington Council in Sixth Year". The Washington Post. September 16, 1962. p. B7.
  7. [7]
    "A Regional Partnership" (editorial). Washington Post. November 14, 2007.
  8. [8]
    "Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments". District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Government of the District of Columbia. Retrieved on January 3, 2017.
  9. [9]
    "The Transportation Planning Board". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  10. [10]
    ""Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee - Description". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments . Accessed July 31, 2011.
  11. [11]
    Hyslop, Margie (March 21, 2007). "Air-quality plan drafted by Council of Governments". The Gazette. Gaithersburg, Maryland.
  12. [12]
    Shiau, Ellen (February 27, 2002). "Area officials, residents watchful of water shortages". The Gazette.
  13. [13]
    Fahrenthold, David A. (2007-12-13). "Governments Are Urged to Build Greener". Washington Post.
  14. [14]
    Lewis, Roger K. (2010-08-14). "Shaping the City: Overcoming the obstacles to regional cooperation". Washington Post.
  15. [15]
    "About Region Forward". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments . Accessed February 17, 2013.
  16. [16]
    "Board of Directors". Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018.
  17. [17]
    Kania, Steve (Jan 11, 2023). "COG Board of Directors elects Montgomery County's Kate Stewart as 2023 Chair". www.mwcog.org. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
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