Press Releases
Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami
202-226-7616
05/14/2009
Pelosi Statement on House Passage of 21st Century Green, High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the 21st Century Green, High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, which passed the House today by a vote of 275 to 155.
“The 21st Century Green, High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act will create tens of thousands of new jobs with critical investments to modernize, upgrade, and repair school facilities across the country, while promoting energy efficiency. It will improve student achievement and boost teacher retention by providing America’s children and teachers with a healthier and safer learning environment, save taxpayers’ money on energy, and help reduce emissions that contribute to global warming.
“The bill will also boost our economy by creating nearly 140,000 new construction jobs, and provides additional funding to help repair schools in areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina, where many students are still using temporary classrooms.
“By improving energy efficiency in our schools and public buildings, and by encouraging Americans to make their own homes and businesses more energy efficient, we can create good-paying jobs now, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and combat climate change. The 21st Century Green, High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act is another significant step toward building a new, clean energy economy for America.”