Rep. Hank Johnson Supports "Greener" Schools, Jobs

Press Release

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) yesterday voted for H.R. 3021, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which authorizes $6.4 billion in FY2009 for public schools to increase their energy efficiency and reduce their environmental impact. The bill authorizes an additional $500 million over five years to reconstruct public schools damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. H.R. 3021 passed the House 250-164 with bipartisan support.

"This bill will reduce emissions and energy consumption, make our schools healthier, and create jobs in the suffering construction sector," said Rep. Johnson, who has separately requested federal assistance for DeKalb County's new Arabia Mountain High School. That school has received international recognition as the first LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) Silver Certified public high school in Georgia. "Public facilities must be made more efficient and the people of the Fourth District are already leading the way. I'm proud to represent Arabia Mountain High School and I'm proud to vote for this bill."

H.R. 3021 requires that 90% of the funding support projects that meet green building standards. It also directs the federal Education and Energy departments to assist states and school districts as they work toward their efficiency goals.

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