Campus Progress applauds the House for recently passing the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act (H.R. 2187). This legislation will provide public schools with funding for modernization and renovation, encourage energy efficiency and renewable resource use, and provide added funding for schools still recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast areas.

Schools are where young people spend the majority of their time; they should be safe havens and promote learning in a healthy environment. Unfortunately, all too often -- and especially in public schools -- children and teenagers are exposed to crumbling infrastructures, poor learning conditions, and inefficient energy systems. According to recent studies, our nation’s schools are billions of dollars short of the funding needed to remedy these poor conditions and research has shown a correlation between the quality of school facilities and student achievement. This legislation will not only address this important issue, but it will simultaneously reduce the amount of emissions our schools are contributing to global warming -- and create green jobs in the process.

Congress has already made the “greening” of schools a priority when they passed green school modernization, renovation, and repair as part of an allowable use of funds under the state fiscal stabilization fund in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act calls for more funding:

·     $6.4 billion for school facilities projects for fiscal year 2010 and ensures school districts will quickly receive funds for school modernization, renovation, and repairs that create healthier, safer, and more energy-efficient teaching and learning environments

·     Guarantee a minimum of $5,000 to districts that receive funding under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The Act will also encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools by:

·     Requiring 100% of the funds by 2015 be used for projects that meet green building standards

·     Requiring schools districts to publicly report the educational, energy and environmental benefits of the projects, how they comply with green building standards, and the percentage of funds used for projects in low-income, rural and charter schools.

·     Requiring the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and the EPA, to disseminate best practices in school construction and to provide technical assistance to states and school districts regarding best practice.

The Act also authorizes separate funds, $600 million over six years, for public schools affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, where many students are still attending school in temporary facilities.

Our schools are literally an investment in the future - where we teach and prepare the next generation of leaders. Calling for the most sustainable and responsible way to support that learning environment, while addressing the need for more renewable energy use, green jobs, and economic stimulation, makes a bold statement on our future priorities.