An independent civic-information project for Montgomery County residents.
MoCo Monitor
Environment

Bring Your Own Bag Law Takes Effect January 1

Montgomery County's BYOB law, passed in February 2025, goes into effect Jan. 1; Rockville has also opted in.

Stewart· Dec 17, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Kate Stewart — “Keeping Up With Kate: Holiday Edition”
Dec 17
Environment

MDE Issues Violation Notice Over Dickerson Incinerator Dioxin Exceedance

Reworld's Unit 3 boiler at the Dickerson waste-to-energy facility tested at 54.8 ng/dscm for dioxins—nearly double the 30 ng/dscm permit limit.

DEP· Dec 17, 2025· 0 sources
From: Statement - Montgomery County, MD — “Statement from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection on t…”
Dec 17
Environment

Native Plant Protection Act Bans Invasive Bamboo Sales

New Montgomery County legislation prohibits invasive bamboo sales and requires native plants in new development projects countywide.

Glass· Dec 16, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Evan Glass — “The Glass Gazette: Highlights of 2025”
Dec 16
Environment

LSBRP Solicitation: Landfill Property Maintenance and Mowing

Amendment #1 issued for IFB #1181364 seeking bids for property maintenance and mowing at Gude and Oaks Landfills.

Office of Procurement· Dec 11, 2025· 0 sources
From: Montgomery County Procurement — “Business Opportunities Newsletter”
Dec 11
Environment

Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee Seeks Applicants

The Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee is accepting applications with a deadline of January 9, 2026.

Balcombe· Dec 10, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, December 10, 2025”
Dec 10
Environment

County Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect January 1, 2026

Montgomery County's Bring Your Own Bag Law bans plastic carryout bags and charges 10 cents per paper bag starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Balcombe· Dec 3, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, December 3, 2025”
Dec 3
Environment

DEP Urges Residents to 'Leave the Leaves' for Environmental Benefits

The Dept. of Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to leave fallen leaves in place to improve soil health and support pollinators.

Balcombe· Nov 19, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, November 19, 2025”
Nov 19
Environment

MCDOT Annual Leaf Vacuuming Program Begins November 10

Montgomery County DOT's annual leaf vacuuming program starts Nov. 10, with two collections scheduled per district through December.

MCDOT· Nov 5, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, November 5, 2025”
Nov 5
Environment

Free Paper Shredding Event Nov. 15 at Montgomery College Rockville

Montgomery County hosts a free community paper shredding and recycling event Nov. 15, 10AM–2PM, at Montgomery College Rockville, Lot 13.

Balcombe· Nov 5, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, November 5, 2025”
Nov 5
Environment

County Plastic Bag Ban, Paper Bag Tax Hike Take Effect Jan. 1

Montgomery County's Bring Your Own Bag law bans plastic carryout bags and raises the paper bag tax to 10 cents, effective January 1, 2026.

Balcombe· Nov 5, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, November 5, 2025”
Nov 5
Environment

Bill Introduced to Ease Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Enforcement

Expedited Bill 30-25 would remove the photographic-evidence requirement and allow a single complaint to trigger leaf blower ban enforcement.

Balcombe· Oct 8, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, October 8, 2025”
Oct 8
Environment

Mega Gas Station ZTA Amendment Fails; Council Vote Pending This Fall

Fani-González's amendment to tighten mega gas station buffer standards failed in committee; the full ZTA goes to the full Council in the fall.

Fani-González· Jul 23, 2025· 2 sources
From: Councilmember Natali Fani-González — “Another step to confront the housing crisis”
Jul 23
Environment

Council Introduces Community Choice Energy Aggregation Bill

Expedited Bill 27-25 to establish a Community Choice Aggregation program was introduced; a public hearing is set for September 9.

Balcombe· Jul 23, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, July 23, 2025”
Jul 23
Environment

Clarksburg Gateway Drive Trash Cleanup Seeks Student Volunteers July 12

Clarksburg Yard hosts a trash pickup along Gateway Center Drive on July 12, open to middle and high school students seeking SSL hours.

Balcombe· Jul 9, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, July 9, 2025”
Jul 9
Environment

TE Committee Works on Solid Waste Plan, Flood and Recycling Budgets

The Transportation and Environment Committee discussed FY26 capital budget items including recycling, flood management, and stormwater.

Balcombe· Mar 26, 2025· 2 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, March 26, 2025”
Mar 26
Environment

Green Business Certification Info Session in Bethesda on Feb. 19

One Montgomery Green and Bethesda Green host a networking session on Green Business Certification on February 19.

Fani-González· Feb 18, 2025· 1 source
From: Councilmember Natali Fani-González — “More info on More Housing NOW”
Feb 18
Environment

$3.8M State Request Targets Wheaton Branch Flood Mitigation

County seeks $3.785M in state funds to expand the Wheaton Branch stream channel and modify the regional pond riser to reduce flooding.

Fani-González· Feb 7, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Natali Fani-González — “Upcoming town halls on housing and restaurants”
Feb 7
Environment

TE Committee Takes Up Building Energy Performance Standards Jan. 30

The Transportation and Environment Committee meets Jan. 30 to discuss Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulations.

Balcombe· Jan 15, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe — “A Message from Marilyn: Wednesday, January 15, 2025”
Jan 15
Environment

BYOB Bill Would Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags, Raise Paper Fee

A public hearing on Bill 24-24 banning single-use plastic carryout bags and doubling the paper bag fee to 10 cents is set for Jan. 14.

Fani-González· Jan 13, 2025· 0 sources
From: Councilmember Natali Fani-González — “Council back in session”
Jan 13
Environment

Energy Efficiency Workshop Set for December 9 in Wheaton

Councilmember Fani-González hosts a Dec. 9 workshop on financial assistance programs for energy-efficient home improvements and weather resilience upgrades.

Fani-González· Dec 5, 2024· 1 source
From: Councilmember Natali Fani-González — “Energy Efficiency Workshop, and more!”
Dec 5, 2024
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