Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

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.

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. and formally incorporated on May 28, 1965.

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.

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. 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.

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, officials prepare clean air plans. 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.

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

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.