COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.
Featured Pages: About COG | Member Jurisdictions | Cooperative Purchasing | Racial Equity | Metro and DMVMoves
Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.
Featured Pages: Transportation Planning Board (TPB) | Street Smart Safety Campaign | Enhanced Mobility Grants | Visualize 2050 transportation plan
COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.
Featured Pages: Air Quality Forecast | Regional Drought and Water Supply Status | Electric Vehicle Deployment Clearinghouse & EV Checklist | Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program
Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.
Featured Pages: Regional Fair Housing Plan | Cooperative Forecast | Economic Trends | Homelessness in Metropolitan Washington Report
COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.
Featured Pages: Public Safety Program | Homeland Security and Policy | Report on Crime and Crime Control | Leadership Training Seminar
Sixty years ago, in 1957, area officials met for the first time as the Council of Governments to discuss issues of mutual interest. All of these decades later, COG continues to work alongside its members and partners to shape strong communities and a better region. Throughout our 60th year, COG remained focused on the future of the region. Below are a few highlights.
In April 2017, COG celebrates 60 years as the hub of regional partnership. COG Executive Director Stuart Freudberg and Arlington County Board Member Christian Dorsey pictured.
COG releases its State of the Region: Human Capital Report, noting the role of residents in the region’s economic competitiveness.
Blue Plains (Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr)
Area law enforcement officials and first responders participate in a full-scale exercise designed to prepare for the possibility of a complex coordinated terror attack.
Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Gerry Connolly discuss priorities regarding Metro with the COG Board of Directors.
500+ area leaders gather for the COG-organized Regional Opioid and Substance Abuse Summit, featuring remarks from the region's top officials.
The Transportation Planning Board kicks off Visualize 2045, a new long-range transportation plan for the region.
Clean Air Partners celebrates 20 years of serving the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
Region records no 'Code Red’ and fewer 'Code Orange’ unhealthy air days in 2017.
Metrobus (Paul Sullivan/Flickr)
The Transportation Planning Board kicks off its once-in-a-decade Regional Travel Survey.
Wilson Bridge (Christopher Connell/Flickr)
COG supports members as the region attempts to win Amazon HQ2.
The Long-Range Plan Task Force recommends—and the Transportation Planning Board approves—five initiatives to improve the region's transportation system.
COG supports the District, Maryland, and Virginia in creating the Metro Safety Commission. The COG Board also passes a resolution supporting $500 million per year in new long-term dedicated funding to enable Metro to implement its capital improvement program.
Member Features
Q&A: Prince George's County Chief Administrative Officer Nicholas Majett Q&A: Charles County's 9-1-1 and Public Safety Communications Chief Tony Rose Q&A: Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee Chair Gretchen Goldman Q&A: COG Board Chairman Kenyan McDuffie Q&A: Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette Media Highlights
As D.C.-area localities plot individual HQ2 bids, they'll have regional statistics to back them up (Washington Business Journal) What code red days? Washington achieves best air quality in decades (Washington Post) Housing Challenges for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (WAMU) McDuffie: How does the region maximize our skills base? (Washington Business Journal) Bowser, Hogan, McAuliffe address regional summit on opioid crisis (WJLA) DC’s identity crisis: Can federal jobs withstand Trump ‘shock’? (WTOP) The whole region wins when we improve the Chesapeake Bay (Washington Post) Car Free Day and Bike to Work Day (WTOP) D.C. Region Transportation Census Wants To Know How You Get Around (WAMU) Here’s a chance to shape the future of transportation in our region (Greater Greater Washington) DC Metro Area Commercial Construction Surged (ConstructionDive) New plan to boost the region’s exports (Washington Business Journal)