U.S. House of Representatives Passes Green School Facilities Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. -
The U.S. House of Representatives passed The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act on June 4, 2008. Enabling public school buildings around the country to receive much-needed renovations and modernizations, legislation H.R. 3021 will provide funding to states and school districts to help ensure that learning environments are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. H.R. 3021 authorizes $6.4 billion for school renovation and modernization projects for fiscal year 2009. To further encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources in schools, the bill requires that the majority of funds for school modernization be used to support projects that meet widely recognized green building standards. In the Gulf Coast, where public schools are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the legislation authorizes additional funding in the amount of $500 million dollars over five years. H.R. 3021 represents a total investment of more than $20 billion over the next five years. The bill awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate.