We are pleased to report that the U.S. House of Representatives passed
HR 2187, ““The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act,” with a vote of 275-to-155 last week. We wrote to
Rep. Ben Chandler (D, KY-6) in support of this legislation as soon as he introduced it at the end of April.
At the moment, there is no Senate companion legislation, so the outlook for passage is unclear. But NECA’s Government Affairs specialists will continue to monitor and advocate this and similar bills that could provide more opportunities for electrical contractors while boosting the economy.
HR 2187 would authorize funding for repairing, replacing, or installing roofs for public schools, including
green roofs; repairing, replacing, or installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for public schools; and bringing public schools into compliance with fire, health, seismic, and safety codes.
Of particular interest to green contractors, it would also authorize spending for renewable energy generation and heating systems that draw on sources such as solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass.
In addition, funding would be authorized for abatement, removal, or interim controls of asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, mildew, or lead-based hazards, including lead-based paint in public schools.
House Democrats estimate that utlimate passage of the measure would create nearly 140,000 new construction jobs. (Obviously, NECA supports legislation that produces healthy and environmentally-friendly classrooms for schoolchildren as well as stimulates the economy through job creation. However, Republican critics say the measure is too expensive to enact.
HR 2187 would authorize $6.4 billion in fiscal year 2010 for modernizing, renovating, and repairing public schools, with an emphasis on use of green building techniques, and additional unspecified funding “as needed” in fiscal years 2011 through 2105. It would also provide a total of $600 million over the same period for aid to schools damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
According to the
Bureau of National Affairs, the measure would cost $39 billion if $6.4 billion were appropriated each year through 2015, along with the $600 million total proposed for the hurricane-affected schools.
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