The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that 25,000 public schools need extensive repair and replacement, and that it will take $112 billion to bring existing buildings into conformity with minimum building standards. The GAO has also concluded that the air is unfit to breathe in nearly 15,000 public schools. As we improve our nation's schools we have an unprecedented opportunity to ensure they are green, energy-efficient school buildings that will provide multiple benefits for the American taxpayers, our teachers, and, most importantly, our children.

The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187), sponsored by Representative Ben Chandler (D-KY), authorizes $6.4 billion for school renovation and modernization projects from FY 2010 through FY 2015. The bill would authorize an additional $100 million each of these years for supplemental grants for school districts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama that were affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. H.R. 2187 would require that school districts direct an increasing percentage of funds received to projects consistent with identified green building rating systems or Energy Star, starting with half of such funds in 2010 and reaching 100% by 2015.

On May 14, the House voted 275-155 in favor of H.R. 2187 (House roll call vote 259). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate did not act on companion legislation in 2009.