Shaheen Applauds $80M Available for Public Schools to Implement Energy Upgrades
**Funding comes from bipartisan infrastructure law, which Shaheen helped negotiate**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed the Biden administration’s announcement that the Department of Energy (DOE) will make available $80 million for public schools across the nation to perform energy improvements, particularly in underserved and rural schools. The first-of-its-kind program was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, of which Shaheen was a key negotiator. Schools can apply for this funding to install energy improvements like new heating, ventilation and air conditioning – creating healthier learning environments and lowering utility costs while redirecting funds to support students and teachers.
“Granite State students deserve schools with sound infrastructure and clean air so they can focus on learning and reaching their full potential in classrooms. I’m thrilled $80 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law is now available to public schools in the greatest need to install essential energy improvements,” said Shaheen. “This funding can make a real difference for public schools across New Hampshire by lowering utility costs while leveling the playing field for schools across the nation, marking an important investment in students’ success.”
Applications are now open for K-12 public schools to apply for funding through the Renew America’s Schools grants program. The Renew America’s Schools program will host a public webinar on the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on December 6th at 1pm ET. In addition to this grant program, the Department of Energy is also launching a $4.5 million prize program, the Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (Energy CLASS Prize). More information on the grant announcement and prize is available here.
Senator Shaheen spearheaded efforts to include investments for energy efficiency in the bipartisan infrastructure law. During negotiations, Shaheen fought to include critical provisions, such as $65 billion to fund grid reliability and resilience measures in the legislation and key components of her energy efficiency legislation with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness (ESIC) Act – that improves energy efficiency and climate resilience of buildings and industrial facilities, as well as invest in clean jobs. She also included the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, the Promoting American Energy Jobs Act and the Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology (HEAT) Act. A targeted version of the ESIC legislation was signed into law by President Obama in 2015, and a number of provisions relating to energy efficiency in schools, industry and the federal government were signed into law as part of the Energy Act of 2020.
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