By Colleen Reynolds
Reporter

(May 28, 2009) — Local school districts may soon find some help becoming greener. The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187), passed by the House of Representatives Thursday, May 14, seeks to make public schools more energy efficient, create clean energy jobs, reduce dependence on foreign oil and lower energy costs.

“Our schools should be safe and healthy learning environments for our children,” U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9), who voted for the bill, stated in a press release. “This bill gives us a chance to upgrade our school buildings and boost student achievement while creating good local jobs and preventing an increase in local property taxes to pay for it.”

Of the $6.4 billion authorized nationally for school facilities projects under the act, the Lyndhurst School District would receive $104,000; North Arlington would receive $71,000; Rutherford and East Rutherford, $51,000 each; Carlstadt and Becton Regional High School, $29,000 each; and Wood-Ridge $16,000 for fiscal year 2010.

These allocations would be intended for school modernization, renovation and repairs that would create a greener, healthier environment that is more conducive to teaching and learning. They were calculated using the same percentage of funds that school districts receive under Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, with the exception of a $5,000 minimum allocation for each district.

“The quality of a school isn’t just important for our children’s health — it’s critical for their learning,” Rothman noted in his press release. “We must invest resources to provide the kind of safe, clean and healthy schools that our children deserve.”

The bill would require 100 percent of funds to be used by 2015 toward green building projects that make schools more energy efficient and better able to rely on renewable sources of energy. It would ensure fair wages and benefits for green-collar workers.

Other highlights of the act include boosting the economy through job creation and community enhancement and allowing schools to play a role in combating global climate change by lessening their carbon footprints.

Eco-friendly schools have been shown to consume 30 percent less energy, 30 percent less water and emit 40 percent less carbon dioxide than conventional schools. Evidence also indicates that the improved ventilation, air quality, lighting and temperature controls of such schools foster greater student achievement.

On average, green schools save $96,760 per year and $70 per square foot in the long term, according to the press release.

Details of H.R. 2187 had not reached the offices of most local school superintendents as of press time, but there were some glimmers of optimism about its potential.

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, of Kentucky, sponsored the bill in the House.

While the bill passed in the House, many Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (D-5), of New Jersey, opposed the measure.

The final vote tally was 275 to 155. The bill moved to the U.S. Senate and was subsequently referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.