Rep. Courtney, House Of Representatives Pass "Green" Public Schools Act

Press Release

Congressman Joe Courtney voted today in favor of H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. Cosponsored by the Connecticut lawmaker, H.R. 2187 authorizes $6.4 billion nationally for Fiscal Year 2010 and additional funds through 2015.

According to the Congressional Research Service, Second Congressional District public schools could receive an estimated $5+ million from the program, should it be enacted. Click here for a district-by-district breakdown of authorized funding.

"Many of eastern Connecticut's school buildings are in desperate need of updating to be brought into the 21st Century," stated Courtney. "Our aging schools are costing taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary energy costs and the long-term fuel savings will be significant. The end result is that this legislation will authorize much needed funding to improve energy use, create a better learning environment for our students and teachers, and put significant savings back into the pockets of local taxpayers."

The landmark energy efficiency legislation ensures that school districts around the country will quickly receive funds for much needed modernization, renovation, and repair projects to improve their teaching and learning climate, safety, and energy efficiency.

Rep. Courtney, a founding member of the Congressional Green Schools Caucus, has been an advocate and champion for healthier, cleaner and more energy efficient public schools since entering Congress.

H.R. 2187 specifically requires that all funds be used for projects that meet one of four widely recognized green standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, Energy Star, Collaborative for High Performance Schools, or Green Globes). The bill requires local education agencies to ensure that the bid process for any project includes the maximum number of qualified bidders and that all iron, steel and manufactured goods used in projects be produced in the United States.

H.R. 2187 was introduced by Representative Ben Chandler in April and quickly co-sponsored by Congressman Courtney, a member of the House Education and Labor Committee.

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