Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
There's not much we can count on in life, but if there's one guarantee, we can bet that our bodies change as we grow older. That's especially true for men as they age. One moment you're partying at the club, waking up refreshed, and hitting the gym. The next moment, getting out of bed is a chore. You're sore in places you never thought before, and hangovers don't just go away after a hot shower and a big breakfast.
And while sore joints and backaches can be treated with aspirin and ice, other signs of aging aren't as easy to treat. Of course, we're talking about challenges in getting and maintaining erections needed to satisfy your partner. At the extreme, we all know it as erectile dysfunction or ED for short but long before full ED, there are warning signs that things aren't working as they used to work. Hearing the ED word sends shivers down most men's spines. When you think about it, that makes sense - being unable to perform when you need to most is a scary thought.
If you're beginning to suffer from ED or male performance issues or you've been dealing with performance issues for some time, it may seem like nobody has any solutions or even really understands how these issues can impact your life and sense of well-being. However, ED of varying degrees is very common. More than 18 million men suffer from the condition in the U.S. Unfortunately, many of those men hide their performance issues without ever addressing them. If you're one of those men, and it feels like you're stuck in a rut with no help, we're here to tell you you're not alone. Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC is here to provide you with a long-lasting solution to help you regain confidence and perform like you used to.
Additionally, many men including the so-called "bio hackers" are using our treatments to PREVENT the performance decline in the first place. Why wait for the inevitable when you can implement strategies to prevent the decline in the first place.

The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
Our programs are all about reversing and slowing the aging process, preventing disease, and treating chronically ill patients. We utilize a three-pronged approach:
- 1. We equip patients with the knowledge required to take charge of their health and achieve optimal well-being.
- 2. We focus on disease prevention by providing a thorough evaluation using comprehensive diagnostics including the patient-supplied information.
- 3. We work with patients to implement a rejuvenation program consisting of various science-based treatments that reduce cellular degeneration, promote tissue regeneration and healing, and slow down the aging process..
We consider every individual as physiologically unique. As such, we don't subscribe to a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Instead, our programs focus on a customized approach, leveraging genetics and advanced testing, utilizing advanced therapeutics like Gainswave and addressing risk factors that, if avoided or modified, could have beneficial effects for reducing many chronic conditions that men suffer from year-round.
Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health. For men whoare just starting to have challenges, or who have erectile dysfunction, or for the biohackers that just want everything optimized, one of those proven therapies is Lorton, VA
Our Services
- Providing Natural Solutions for Male Sexual Health
- The Proactive Wellness Center Difference
- What is GAINSWave Therapy?
- What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Lorton, VA Work?
- Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
- Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
Service Areas
What is GAINSWave Therapy?
If you have ED or even a minor decline in sexual performance, there's a good chance you've already seen your primary care doctor. You've talked to them about the issues you're facing. And, if they're like many doctors, they prescribed you some pills and sent you on your way. Unfortunately, going this route doesn't do much to solve erectile dysfunction - you're just putting a band-aid on the problem. Plus, you're putting strange chemicals in your body via a "little blue pill" that may cause adverse side effects.
At the end of the day, you need a real-deal solution to ED, not a quick fix. The good news? A safe, non-invasive, injection-free answer to your problems exists. It's called GAINSWave therapy, and according to recent studies, it has shown an 85-92% success rate for mild to moderate cases of erectile dysfunction.
Reports from men who have used GAINSWave therapy in Lorton, VA report the following benefits:
- Stronger, Longer Lasting Erections
- Improved Sexual Pleasure
- More Blood Circulation and Flow
- Better Girth and Length
- Less Rest Needed Between Orgasms
- Enhanced Intimacy in the Bedroom

Unlike many ED treatments, you don't have to worry about surgery or drugs when you choose GAINSWave. This revolutionary treatment uses acoustic wave technology, also called pulse wave therapy, instead of surgery or pills, which helps to rebuild blood flow to the penile region, thereby boostings erectile strength and, by proxy, confidence.
But the benefits of GAINSWave don't end there. This therapy also breaks up micro plaques and boosts nitric oxide, which forms new blood vessels and collagen. That's exciting news for men suffering from Peyronie's disease, which is another condition specific to male sexual health.
Contact Us For Services

What Makes GAINSWave Therapy in Lorton, VA Work?
With time, men's blood flow decreases, sensitivity isn't what it once was, and blood vessels start to get thinner or even partially or fully blocked. With GAINSWave, high-frequency, low-intensity shockwaves rejuvenate areas of the penis that have suffered with age. For instance, micro plaques are removed, new blood vessels form, and blood flow increases. According to several clinical studies, enhanced blood flow from GAINSWave translates to more sustainable, rigid erections in 75% of men.
Though males in America are only beginning to realize the benefits of GAINSWave, it's a treatment that has been used for over a decade around the world. Backed by science and proven to rejuvenate vasculature in male erections, GAINSWave works without any pain or recovery time. In fact, it's possible to pop into Proactive Wellness Centers on your lunch break for a therapy session.
Proactive Wellness Centers' GAINSWave treatments feature:
- Low-Intensity Pulse or Shockwaves
- All Natural
- No Needles
- No Pills
- No Pain
- No Surgery
- No Recovery Time
- Quick Procedures
Because this procedure is needle, surgery, and drug-free, most men don't have to suffer through costly insurance claims or unsightly scarring. With GAINSWave and our comprehensive and personalized ED treatment plans, all you need to focus on is enjoying life, knowing your erectile dysfunction is a thing of the past.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Gainswave Therapy in Lorton, VA?
If you're a man over the age of 30 and want to optimize your performance or if you are suffering a decline in this area, GAINSWave may be for you. That's even more true if other treatments never worked. For many men, those unsuccessful solutions include pills like Viagra. If prescription pills don't solve your ED problems, GAINSWave is a great option to consider. Academic studies show that shockwave therapy is successful where PDE5 inhibitors (like Viagra or Cialis) fall short.
In fact, many urologists now consider shockwave therapy the greatest revolution in ED treatment in over a decade. Even men without erectile dysfunction use GAINSWave as a preventative therapy to keep their bedroom performance strong and avoid compromised blood vessels.
Some of the key benefits of GAINSWave procedures over other ED treatments include:
- No Drugs
- Backed by Clinical Studies and Extensive Medical Research
- Vast Record of Success
- FDA-Approved for Enhanced Sexual Wellness
- Available at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
What Should I Expect from GAINSWave Therapy at Proactive Wellness Centers?
If you're ready to begin your journey to a healthier, happier sex life, getting started at our wellness clinic is as easy as 1-2-3:
Make an Appointment: Give our office a call at 703-822-5003. One of our Clinical Intake Coordinators will answer any question you have and get you started. If you prefer, you can text "gainswave" to 833.341.0170, and our Clinical Intake Coordinator will get back to you personally and confidentially.
Prep: Once the intake process is complete, you'll schedule a time for GAINSWave therapy in Lorton, VA. You'll arrive at our wellness center for treatment at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. Procedure time is usually no longer than 30 minutes and occurs in our wellness center.
Enjoy the Benefits: Once your GAINSWave therapy session is over, you can get right back to what you were doing beforehand. Studies show that approximately 75% of men enjoy positive results like stronger, longer-lasting erections after treatment. Most men only need 6-12 sessions for optimal results.
Other Treatments and Programs from Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
As the premier wellness clinic in Virginia and the metro D.C. area, we provide patients with a comprehensive list of treatments to slow the process of aging and treat chronic conditions. Our vision is to provide the latest in scientifically-validated therapies, like GAINSWave therapy in Lorton, VA, for reversing the aging process, preventing chronic disease, and optimizing health.
Some of the most requested services we offer include:

Low-T Treatment for Men
While not as widely discussed as menopause is for women, andropause is very real for men just as menopause is significant for women. Our Low-T program for men focuses on the unique needs of men who are suffering from andropause or low testosterone. The Program Testosterone replacement when clinically indicated, optimization of DHEA and Pregenenolone, combined with nutritional guidance, nutritional supplementation recommendations to optimize your health. For men where Testosterone has declined, the Low-T program is a necessary complement to the Gainswave therapy.
Depending on lab results and patient goals, the program may also include peptides to help patients optimize their health and body composition. If you can identify with some of the symptoms below, you are likely experiencing low testosterone / andropause and are a candidate for laboratory testing to determine if BHRT is right for you.
Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Erectile dysfunction
- Decreased stamina
- Loss of physical agility
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Prostate problems
- Insomnia

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Like men, women's bodies change as they grow older. Often referred to as menopause, this time in a woman's life can be stressful when the body uses energy differently, fat cells change, and hormones decline.
Many of the common symptoms and conditions associated with menopause are widely known and discussed, but there are many that are overlooked. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we've seen patients misdiagnosed with other illnesses that were actually caused by a decline in hormone levels. Our BHRT program for women focuses on the unique needs of women who are suffering from the common as well as the lesser-known symptoms of menopause.
Those symptoms may include:
- Hot Flashes
- Mood Swings
- Depression
- UTIs
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Indigestion
- Osteoporosis
- Vertigo
- Anxiety Attacks
- Vaginal Dryness
- Fatigue

What are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are also known as natural hormones. They are substances with the same chemical makeup as the hormones produced in your body. Hormones are not drugs - they occur naturally and are found in every human on earth. BHRT replaces hormones at a physiologic level that is not harmful to the body.
If you're suffering through the symptoms of menopause, taking Midol isn't going to solve any problems. Fortunately, our BHRT program for women is designed to eliminate many menopausal symptoms. That way, we give women a chance to recapture their energy levels and vitality with drugs or surgery. Contact our office today to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how it can help you recapture the joys of your youth.
Bredesen-Protocol Strategies for Improving Brain Health
We believe that a healthy brain is paramount to overall well-being. Unfortunately, little is known about promoting brain health, lowering the risk of dementia, or stabilizing symptoms for patients experiencing early signs.
After much research, however, Dr. Lawson from Proactive Wellness Centers determined that the Bredesen protocol provides the best evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating cognitive decline.
The approach, created by Dr. Dale Bredesen, is called ReCODE. This protocol involves multiple strategies to pinpoint specific health issues contributing to Alzheimer's Disease. The results of each strategy are measured using blood tests, dementia tests, cognitive evaluations, and other signs of overall health improvement. Now a Bredesen Certified doctor, Dr. Lawson now offers patients the full Bredesen ReCODE protocol to help them recover from debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's.
Through this exciting approach, patients have shown dramatic improvements in cognitive function. In some cases, they achieve a reversal of symptoms and have even returned to work.
Proactive Wellness Centers' ReCODE program uses significant functional medicine experience and includes:
- Lifestyle Interventions
- Targeted Nutrients
- Therapeutic Diets
We're thrilled to add this promising Alzheimer's disease treatment for qualifying patients at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Chronic Disease Treatment
Long-term diseases like Lyme disease and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) can ruin a person's life and often leave them afraid to leave the house. To make matters worse, these chronic diseases are often initially misdiagnosed, complicating treatment and leaving the patient depressed and hopeless. And while some medical prescriptions can help, many chronic disease sufferers live without finding true relief.
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our innovative doctors have developed a comprehensive treatment program to address chronic diseases like CIRS and Lyme disease. Generally, our Chronic Disease Treatment follows SSRP protocols as defined below:
- Stop the progression of the disease while strengthening the immune system
- Stabilize patients by balancing hormones and restoring energy
- Reverse cellular, mitochondrial, and other damages caused by chronic diseases, based on lab markers and/or symptomatic expression
- Prevent further development of the chronic disease processes
Our SSRP protocol provides patients with a promising program based largely on the emerging bodies of evidence in the chronic disease space. This evidence is supported by peer-reviewed medical journals, clinical studies, and even double-blind placebo-controlled studies.

When choosing chronic disease treatments for patients, our team of doctors and clinicians focus on safety and efficacy before anything else. Typical therapies associated with our chronic disease treatment programs include:
- IV Vitamin Therapy
- Targeted Nutritional Supplements
- Compassionate Care and Personalized Service from Qualified Doctors
As an integrative practice, we use conventional medications when indicated, especially in cases of underlying co-infections and other areas where traditional medication offers the best course of treatment.
If you're at your wit's end living with a chronic disease, call Proactive Wellness Centers today. Our innovative treatments and therapies may be the key you need to unlock a new, healthy life.
Achieve Your Wellness Goals at Proactive Wellness Centers, PLC
From GAINSWave therapy in Lorton, VA, to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for women, our doctors are here to serve you with care, compassion, and a commitment to your health.
That's because, at Proactive Wellness Centers, we take a patient-first approach to every service we offer. Unlike some anti-aging clinics, we focus on your goals, your experiences, and how we can address your health and well-being needs. We believe with a full heart that your story matters, and we're ready and waiting to listen. If you're looking for personalized, functional, regenerative treatments that address root causes, you're only a phone call away from living a healthier life.

Hours Open Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM

Latest News in Lorton, VA
Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton presents ‘Haunt: Nightmare Harvest’ walking trail
Jason Fraleyhttps://wtop.com/entertainment/2022/10/workhouse-arts-center-in-lorton-presents-haunt-nightmare-harvest-walking-trail/
With Halloween one week away, Fairfax County, Virginia, is offering a spooky excursion.The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is scaring visitors at its eighth annual Workhouse Haunt, a walking trail experience that opened on Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 5.“I guarantee if you come out and be a part of it, you are going to have a terrifying time of your life, so we hope you’ll join us,” President & CEO Leon Scioscia told WTOP....
With Halloween one week away, Fairfax County, Virginia, is offering a spooky excursion.
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is scaring visitors at its eighth annual Workhouse Haunt, a walking trail experience that opened on Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 5.
“I guarantee if you come out and be a part of it, you are going to have a terrifying time of your life, so we hope you’ll join us,” President & CEO Leon Scioscia told WTOP.
This year’s creative theme is “Nightmare Harvest” with a spooky back story.
“Imagine it’s October 1984, which means only one thing for the residents of this fictional township called Barkley: The annual harvest fair is ready to go,” Scioscia said. “They’re going to demonstrate a new experimental line of pesticides and fertilizers. … You’re encountering some rather strange individuals, animals and other types of creatures.”
After parking in the north parking lot, you’ll check in at a ticket booth in the central quad. There, you’ll form groups of up to 10 people to embark on the haunted trail in 15-minute increments. The tour is self-guided through the former prison buildings on the campus.
“The Workhouse Arts Center has on its campus about 25 buildings, only half of which have been renovated,” Scioscia said. “We go down some scary stairways into the basement area of what used to be one of the gyms. It’s all designed in such a way where there’s smoke and lights — and zombies and creatures hiding in these various crevices.”
Along the way, you’ll encounter 90 actors and technicians trying to scare you.
“These haunt actors come from the high school range, the college range and even the professional range,” Scioscia said. “There are some folks who just like to get dressed up in their own costume either as a mummy or other scare-type individual. They’re jumping out to scare you and doing it from a real character point of view as they would in any play.”
Due to fear factor, the event is recommended for ages 13 and older. Expect the experience to last approximately 30 minutes. Tickets cost $30 per person, but parking is free. Organizers are asking visitors to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Lorton Community Action Center.
“It’s a really festive environment,” Scioscia said. “We have bands playing on Friday and Saturday nights. We’re really happy with the food trucks. We have a special draft beer truck from Bunnyman Brewery that will be here too.”
Bunnyman Brewing, a partner of the haunt, is based out of Burke, Virginia, and its name is based on urban legend.
Amtrak train carrying Northern Va. passengers stranded in South Carolina
WSEThttps://wset.com/amtrak-train-carrying-northern-virginia-passengers-stranded-south-carolina-crew-limited-food-csx-lorton-dc-dmv-travel-florida
LORTON, Va. (7News) — Hundreds of passengers departing Northern Virginia were stuck on an Amtrak Auto Train for more than 24 hours and still have no estimate of when they will be able to get off the train.The Amtrak Auto Train left Lorton, Va. Monday night on a nonstop trip to Florida. The train was supposed to arrive at 10 a.m. Tuesday but is currently sitting in a wooded area in South Carolina.The delay is due to a CSX freight train colliding with a car. The CSX train derailed around 11 p.m. Monday, officials said. 25 c...
LORTON, Va. (7News) — Hundreds of passengers departing Northern Virginia were stuck on an Amtrak Auto Train for more than 24 hours and still have no estimate of when they will be able to get off the train.
The Amtrak Auto Train left Lorton, Va. Monday night on a nonstop trip to Florida. The train was supposed to arrive at 10 a.m. Tuesday but is currently sitting in a wooded area in South Carolina.
The delay is due to a CSX freight train colliding with a car. The CSX train derailed around 11 p.m. Monday, officials said. 25 cars and two locomotives derailed and the scene is still being cleared.
The Amtrak crew has timed out and is not legally able to operate the train. They are waiting on a replacement crew to access the train from a railroad crossing but so far there is no estimated time of arrival for the new crew. This is a unique train and there are only a few certified crews are able to operate it, officials said.
Another concern is that there are pets on board and it's unclear if they’ve been allowed to step off the train with their owners.
READ MORE: Passenger describes scene as Amtrak train carrying 142 people collides with truck in Md.
Hundreds of passengers departing Northern Virginia have been stuck on a Amtrak Auto Train for more than 24 hours and have no estimate of when they will be able to get off. (Courtesy WPDE)
The Auto Train is a unique train in that all passengers must also bring their car with them on the train. One train leaves each day from Florida and one from the D.C. area. Many passengers book little rooms with chairs that fold into beds and others book traditional seats.
The train is stocked with 1.5 meals per passenger.
CSX released the following statement about the derailment:
Just before 11:00 p.m. Monday, a CSX freight train came in contact with an unoccupied vehicle on the tracks at Charles Street in Lake City, SC resulting in the derailment of 25 rail cars and two locomotives, which remained upright. There were no injuries to the crew of the train and no hazardous materials involved. CSX crews are on site working to safely clear the tracks and restore the area.
According to passengers on board, the train began moving late Tuesday night. One passenger told 7News that feces was spotted on the floor of the train. Dogs onboard still have not been allowed to get off for a bathroom break and passengers will also need to wait for a minimum of 90 minutes for their cars to be unloaded when they arrive in Florida, a passenger said.
Editor's note: In an earlier version of this article, 7News reported there was no crew and limited food on the train. However, Amtrak tells 7News that the train did have a crew, but due to the delay the crew working on the train timed out and became unable to legally operate it. Amtrak also says the train is stocked with 1.5 meals per passenger.
Flames engulf home in Fairfax Co.
wusa9.comhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/lorton-house-fire-investigation/65-2d216a6a-898d-4f7b-9ed0-d17ea8d2c5fb
People were inside the home at the time of the fire. All of them got out safely, according to firefighters.LORTON, Va. — Firefighters battled a large house fire in Lorton, Virginia, early Tuesday morning. Flames destroyed the Fairfax County home, but all people inside were able to escape, firefighters said.A spokesperson with Fairfax Fire and Rescue Services said units were dispatched to the 11300 block of River Road in the Lorton area for a report of a fire around 2:30 a.m. When crews arrived on scene they found flames h...
People were inside the home at the time of the fire. All of them got out safely, according to firefighters.
LORTON, Va. — Firefighters battled a large house fire in Lorton, Virginia, early Tuesday morning. Flames destroyed the Fairfax County home, but all people inside were able to escape, firefighters said.
A spokesperson with Fairfax Fire and Rescue Services said units were dispatched to the 11300 block of River Road in the Lorton area for a report of a fire around 2:30 a.m. When crews arrived on scene they found flames had engulfed the home on all sides. Firefighters said all people inside the home are accounted for.
About an hour later, firefighters reported on social media that the fire had been brought under control. The single-story home has collapsed. No other homes were involved in the fire.
Battalion Chief Todd Barb said the house is in a remote area, and hydrants have only been in the area for about 14 years.
Barb believes the fire may have started in the basement, but the investigation is still underway. The house was a total loss.
Firefighters said no injuries to either civilians or firefighters have been reported. About 20 firefighting units were called to the scene and remain there early Tuesday to monitor the fire and make sure it does not flair up again.
Credit: Fairfax Fire and Rescue
According to Barb, the Red Cross is on the scene of the fire to help four adults displaced.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a developing story. We are working to confirm additional details. Stay with WUSA9 for the latest updates as they come in to our newsroom.
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Travelers Stuck for 36+ Hours on Amtrak Train From Virginia to Florida
Maggie Morehttps://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/travelers-stuck-for-36-hours-on-amtrak-train-from-virginia-to-florida/3252276/
Amtrak travelers heading to Sanford, Florida from Lorton, Virginia on Monday night spent a lot more time on the rails than they bargained for, when Auto Train 53 arrived at its final destination more than 20 hours later than scheduled.The train left Fairfax County, Virginia about 5 p.m. Monday, with an expected arrival time of 10 a.m. Tuesday. But the train didn't pull into the Florida station until about 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday -- meaning passengers spent over 36 hours on the train in total.The immense delay was caused by a fre...
Amtrak travelers heading to Sanford, Florida from Lorton, Virginia on Monday night spent a lot more time on the rails than they bargained for, when Auto Train 53 arrived at its final destination more than 20 hours later than scheduled.
The train left Fairfax County, Virginia about 5 p.m. Monday, with an expected arrival time of 10 a.m. Tuesday. But the train didn't pull into the Florida station until about 6:20 a.m. on Wednesday -- meaning passengers spent over 36 hours on the train in total.
The immense delay was caused by a freight train with at least 20 cars that derailed in Lake City, South Carolina at about 8 p.m. on Monday. No one was injured in the derailment, but the blockage on the tracks left Auto Train 53 passengers stopped overnight in Hamlet, North Carolina.
At 8 a.m. on Tuesday -- two hours before passengers should have arrived in Sanford -- Auto Train 53 started moving again.
Then, at 3 p.m. Tuesday, the train stopped a second time in Denmark, North Carolina. The long delay meant the Amtrak crew had timed out of their shifts, and could not continue working.
The train restarted its journey again late on Tuesday, after a new Amtrak crew boarded at least six hours later than expected. Passengers finally arrived in Sanford just before 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Colleen McKenna, a student at the University of Miami from North Potomac, Maryland, was frustrated that her journey back to school for the start of the spring semester was so delayed, and criticized Amtrak's handling of the situation.
According to McKenna, the only update Amtrak gave her during the hours they spent in Denmark, North Carolina was a written notice that read "Your new crew is estimated to arrive in approximately two hours. We apologize for the extended delay and appreciate your extended patience."
"That's the only update. They don't say what we're going to do after that," McKenna said in a video interview from the train. "I'm supposed to meet my parents in Miami, so they've been there all day already waiting to move me in. So it's just me, stuck here."
After arriving in Sanford Wednesday morning, McKenna told News4 she hopes this never happens to her again.
Amtrak has not replied to numerous requests for comment by phone and by email as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Solar panels ready for long-awaited installation at Lorton landfill
Matt Blitzhttps://www.ffxnow.com/2022/09/20/solar-panels-ready-for-long-awaited-installation-at-lorton-landfill/
After years of effort, solar panels are finally coming to the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton.The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion on Sept. 13 to lease about 40 acres of the county-owned closed landfill within the complex to ...
After years of effort, solar panels are finally coming to the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion on Sept. 13 to lease about 40 acres of the county-owned closed landfill within the complex to Sun Tribe Solar to install, operate, and maintain an array of ground-mounted solar panels.
Sun Tribe Solar, in turn, will let the county purchase renewable energy generated at the site with little upfront or operational costs, which staff say will help the county reduce its greenhouse emissions.
With the company quoting a rate of about 11 cents per kilowatt hour with no escalation over the life of the agreement, the county expects to save money immediately — about $51,000 in the first year of operation and over $1 million cumulatively by year eight.
Thought to be the first such project in the Commonwealth, the panels are expected to be installed and go online by the end of 2024, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) Deputy Director Eric Forbes said at the meeting.
As a number of supervisors noted, though, it was a long time coming, with a number of challenges along the way.
Despite solid local support, the county needed approval from the Virginia General Assembly for solar panels to be installed on its land. The county was exploring the project at least as early as 2017, but every time it was taken to the state legislature, their request was denied.
The needed permission came at last from the 2020 Solar Freedom Act, which included a specific clause providing Fairfax County the go-ahead for the landfill project.
“I really wish this had happened a long time ago when I was chair of the environment committee because that’s when we first started having this discussion,” Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross said. “[A closed landfill] is perfect for solar. If it had not been for that pesky Virginia General Assembly not allowing it unless there was a change in the legislation, we would have done this a long time ago and would have been way ahead of the game.”
Gross wasn’t the only one to express frustration at the state holding up a project that the county says will increase its use of renewable energy while also saving money.
“Who would have ever thought that it would be a hard task to ask the General Assembly to let Fairfax County do what it wants with its property that is owned by our citizens that we are accountable to?” Chairman Jeff McKay asked rhetorically. “So, there is a bit of frustration for how long this has taken.”
Plus, there were some challenges with several previous vendors who didn’t hit deadlines and uphold their end of the deal, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Stork noted. The county hopes Sun Tribe Solar will be the right and reliable partner.
The solar panel project at the I-95 Landfill Complex is another example of how the county is attempting to transform that area into more than a trash site.
In June, the county’s planning commission gave the green light for preliminary plans to convert another portion of the closed landfill at the site into a public park called Overlook Ridge Park.
That project is “progressing” with a site plan submission anticipated later this fall or early winter, Fairfax County Park Authority spokesperson Judith Pedersen told FFXnow. It is still on track to open in 2025, she said.
As was noted at the meeting, the solar panels will not encroach on the public park.
Despite the challenges, several supervisors shared their excitement that solar panels are finally set to be installed and will fulfill several county goals, including more efficient county land use, cut costs, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
“I’m hopeful…that the sun keeps shining,” Gross said.
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