House OKs Greener Schools

The House last month authorized more than $6 billion annually for the next few years to help states build and renovate greener schools. The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, which passed 250 to 164, authorizes $6.4 billion for fiscal year 2009 and similar amounts for subsequent years to help school districts modernize, renovate, and repair buildings to make them more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Democrats say the bill would save districts billions of dollars in energy costs and reduce asthma and other ailments linked to unhealthy school environments. Republicans and the White House, however, say this should be dealt with at the state and local level. The Senate must now consider the bill.

The bill calls for districts to use funds to meet one of the three widely recognized green building standards or equivalent state or local standards: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, Energy Star, or Collaborative For High Performance Schools. “School buildings should be safe, healthy, and modern learning environments for children,” says Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA).