June 5, 2008   Hawaii Schools Could Receive $20.5 Million In New ‘Green’ Construction Grants   Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie said Hawaii schools would be eligible for $20,546,800 in funds over the next five years for building modernization, renovation and repair under the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act approved by the House this week.  The Green Schools Act authorizes the five-year program to help school districts across the country make their buildings more energy efficient and reliant on renewable sources of energy.  “Most importantly, our keiki will benefit from the Green Schools Act because research shows a direct correlation between the quality of school facilities and student achievement,” said Abercrombie.  “So, these funds to help Hawaii school districts renovate and modernize school buildings will actually improve the teaching and learning climate, health and safety.”  Since 2001, the federal government has provided very little to help states and school districts pay for school construction and repair.  The measure requires school districts to publicly report the educational, energy and environmental benefits of the projects, how they comply with green building standards and the percentage of funds used for projects at low-income and rural schools.  “The second group of winners from this legislation will be the taxpayers of Hawaii,” Abercrombie continued.  “By requiring school construction and modernization to meet green school standards, savings from lower energy bills can amount to thousands of dollars per school per year, money that could be used to hire teachers, buy computers or purchase textbooks instead. “And, the third beneficiary will be Hawaii’s economy, because the program will create good-paying jobs in the construction industry.  In fact, the bill’s language stipulates that construction jobs will have to be paid fair wages and benefits under the protections in the Davis-Bacon Act.” Under the legislation, a local educational agency may use a grant for modernization, renovation or repair of public school facilities, including: repairing, replacing, or installing roofs, electrical wiring, plumbing systems, sewage systems, lighting systems, or components of such systems, windows, or doors; repairing, replacing, or installing heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, or components of such systems (including insulation), including indoor air quality assessments; bringing public schools into compliance with fire and safety codes, including modernizations, renovations, and repairs that ensure that schools are prepared for emergencies; modifications necessary to make public school facilities accessible to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (such modifications, however, cannot be the primary use of the grant); asbestos abatement or removal from public school facilities; implementation of measures to reduce or eliminate human exposure to lead-based paint; upgrading or installing educational technology infrastructure; other modernization, renovation or repair of public school facilities to improve teachers' ability to teach and students' ability to learn, ensure the health and safety of students and staff, or make them more energy efficient; and required environmental remediation related to school modernization, renovation, or repair The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act has not yet been considered in the Senate.