21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act

Floor Speech

21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 14, 2009)

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2187) to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of pubilc school facilities, and for other purposes:

* Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise today as a member of the Green Schools Caucus to strongly support the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.

* Many of our nation's schools are in disrepair. The average American school is 50 years old and almost two-thirds need extensive modernization. According to the GAO, 14 million students attend schools considered below standard or dangerous. In my own district, thousands of students go to class in portable classrooms--trailers located outside the school buildings--because the schools can no longer accommodate the growing student population. But in a time of state budget deficits, fewer dollars are going to school construction projects.

* Today's bill will assist local school districts with the initial costs of construction and modernization and, by investing in energy efficient technology, will result in significant long term savings. Building green costs about 2 percent more than conventional construction, but can save 20 times that amount over the life of the school.

* Moreover, green school construction yields substantial environmental benefits. Green schools use on average 33 percent less energy and produce less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and coarse particulate matter emissions.

* With its investment in infrastructure, this bill provides an important economic stimulus. School districts have many projects ready to go. When this bill is passed, we will see additional jobs in the construction industry, including suppliers, architects, contractors, and engineers.

* Mr. Chair, this legislation is a good, long-term investment. I urge my colleagues to pass this bill today and work to ensure that it is fully funded to improve education, reduce our energy consumption, and create jobs in local communities.

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