Breathing polluted air can pose serious health risks. As late as the 1980s, air pollution regularly blanketed the metropolitan Washington region on hot and humid summer days. The region has made tremendous progress in its air quality thanks to more than a decade of actions at the federal, state, and local government levels; however, there is still more work to be done to reduce pollution further.
COG, through the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC), coordinates regional air quality planning activities, reviews policies, resolves policy differences, and adopts air quality plans for transmittal to the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. MWAQC members include area elected officials, environmental directors, and state air management and transportation officials. COG has also been providing regional air quality forecasts since the 1970s, and its Clean Air Partners program educates people on ways to reduce air pollution and protect their health.
Featured Content
Air Quality Progress Dashboard
Data showing region's progress in improving air quality.
What We Can Do to Improve Air Quality in the Metropolitan Washington Region
Report presenting a menu of options to help achieve no unhealthy air days in the region compiled by COG staff for the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee and the Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee.
News & Multimedia
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News
April 24, 2014
When people think about things that add to air pollution power plants and large vehicles they see on the road may come to mind first. But off the road and...
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December 19, 2013
Joe Kruger Director for Energy & Environment at the Bipartisan Policy Institute detailed new proposed regulations for coal power plants to the...
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December 11, 2013
Looking for a civic-minded New Year’s resolution? How about getting involved in transportation air quality or climate and energy planning in the D.C. region?...
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September 25, 2013
Officials celebrate no Code Red days in the summer of 2013 but also stay focused on meeting EPA air quality standards.
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July 24, 2013
Officials discussed the links between water resources and climate and energy issues at the first joint meeting of the two regional policy committees. Fairfax...