House Approves Funds For "Energy Efficient" Schools
The House has committed more than $20 billion to make schools more energy-efficient. The voted – for – 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act has a further goal to make schools good for the environment, which can reduce asthma and other environmentally linked health problems among academics and students.
The Houston Chronicle reports that the measure approves $6.4 billion for the 2009 budget year and similar sums in consequent years to help school districts modernize facilities to improve the learning climate, promote student and teacher health and make schools more energy efficient.
Projects would have to meet one of three widely recognized standards for building construction materials and energy sources: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, Energy Star, or Collaborative For High Performance Schools. Requirements for meeting the green standards would be phased in, but by 2013, 90 percent of the funds would have to be used for green projects.
According to KMGH Denver, the legislation is now set to be considered by the Senate.
Democrats said the bill would save school districts billions in energy costs while reducing asthma and other environmentally linked health problems.
Photo: © bcmacsac1
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