Regional Entities

Many planning issues are inherently regional in nature. NCPC takes part in regional planning activities, and regional authorities contribute regularly to NCPC initiatives.

COG is an independent, nonprofit association of 21 Washington-area local governments, members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. It develops regional responses to policy issues, including the environment, affordable housing, economic development, health, human services, population growth, public safety, and transportation.
Founded in 1957, COG is supported by financial contributions from its participating local governments, federal and state grants and contracts, and donations from foundations and the private sector. Policies are set by the full membership acting through its board of directors, which meets monthly to discuss area issues.

NCPC takes part in several COG committees, including the steering committee of Greater Washington 2050, a coalition of public, business, civic, and environmental stakeholders devising regional approaches to growth, transportation, and environmental policy management.

TPB is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region. It is the regional forum for transportation planning. TPB prepares plans and programs that require federal approval to obtain transportation funds for the region.
TPB’s area of jurisdiction is slightly larger than NCPC’s National Capital Region. Its voting members include representatives of local authorities, state transportation agencies, the state assemblies, and WMATA. Federal agencies, including NCPC, are nonvoting members.

TPB is an independent body, but its staff is provided by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.