Image Credit: Denver Public Schools

The Campaign is excited to celebrate schools and districts for planning efforts and outstanding implementation of solutions in the categories of Energy Efficiency Plus Health and Emissions Reduction and Resilience. Through setting ambitious goals and applying best practices, these schools and districts have achieved substantial energy savings and greatly improved the learning environment by improving their facilities’ indoor air quality, lighting, and building controls. Check out school and district projects here! By celebrating their success, the Campaign aims to amplify the importance of energy-efficient, healthy, and resilient schools, and inspire other schools to take action. 

The Campaign is excited to offer schools and districts the use of 3 simple to use air monitors that can measure particulate matter, carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity. We can guide you through the simple process. Indicate your interest by emailing EHSC@lbl.gov. Limited supply!

The Center for Green Schools and the U.S. Department of Energy's Efficient and Healthy Schools Campaign, in coordination with the U.S. EPA, hosted a free in-person training event for K-12 school staff working to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) June 21st-22nd, focused on developing or strengthening district IAQ management plans and sharing the most up-to-date best practices for continuous IAQ monitoring.

As part of this event, the Campaign hosted a hybrid webinar, with speakers from U.S. EPA and Sacramento City Unified, which you can view on our website, along with helpful slides.

Additional training will be held in Washington, DC October 2023, focusing on developing or strengthening district IAQ management plans and sharing the most up-to-date best practices for continuous IAQ monitoring. Indicate your interest here!

On June 29th the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced the first round of selectees for the Renew America’s Schools grant program. The Renew America’s Schools grant is the flagship funding opportunity of the Renew America’s Schools Program. This competitive award focuses on funding infrastructure upgrades at K–12 public school facilities, prioritizing high-need school communities.

DOE received 236 submissions from Local Education Agencies across 44 states, totaling $1.62 billion in requests. In response to high demand and overwhelming evidence of need, DOE doubled the funds available in the first round of the competition from $80 million to $178 million. 

DOE anticipates releasing a second round of funding in Spring 2024. Find more details here! Like, comment, or share DOE’s posts on LinkedIn and Twitter.

FEDERAL FUNDING TRAINING SERIES | 6/29, 7/20, 8/2, 8/30|



Working alongside several partners, Center for Green Schools has gathered top experts together to answer your questions about federal grants, new tax incentives (IRA), and partnership opportunities that could benefit your facilities. The free, four-part "Federal Funding for School Buildings" series will run throughout the summer. 

• The Fundamentals of Federal Funding for School Buildings, July 7th (recorded)
• Federal Funding for Equipment Installation or Replacement K-12 Schools, July 20th at 12:00 pm ET
• Federal Funding for School Renovation and New Construction, August 2nd at 12:00 pm ET
• Unanswered Questions: Series Speakers “Get Back to You on That,” August 30th at 12:00 pm ET

YEAR LONG GREEN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIPS – 

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!



Applications are now open through Friday, July 21^st for the Center for Green Schools 2023-24 School District Fellowship programs! Each year, ten Fellows from school systems around the country are selected to participate in peer networking, targeted professional development, leadership training, and attend professional learning events such as the Green Schools Conference. This program is a unique and free opportunity we offer our peer-network community.

• Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship: provides support to K-12 sustainability professionals working to improve the operations and/or curriculum across a school system or district. Learn more and apply.
• Leaders in Air Quality Fellowship: provides support to K-12 professionals specifically working on indoor air quality and environmental health within school systems. Learn more and apply.

Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) are a well-established tool to deliver energy and infrastructure upgrades and cost savings to public sector building owners. Through ESPCs, K-12 schools can leverage and maximize the impact of available grants, incentives, and capital budgets to modernize systems and facilities, increase energy efficiency, reduce operating expenses, and improve learning environments.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Performance Contracting National Resource Center (PCNRC) Training Certificate Series supports emerging and experienced public sector and industry professionals alike in building performance contracting expertise. The first four training modules are available now, with the remaining four modules to be released on a rolling basis through summer 2023.

The PCRNC will be hosting two informational webinars this summer to introduce this no-cost training resource. Register using the links below to learn more:

• Wednesday, July 19, 3:00PM ET for state, local, educational and nonprofit organizations
• Thursday, July 20, 3:00PM ET for industry professionals and market partners

Questions about the Training Certificate Series or accessing additional ESPC resources can be sent to PCNRC@hq.doe.gov.

K-12 school districts spend over $8 billion nationwide on energy costs each year. More than 30 percent of energy use goes to waste and ten percent can be saved by implementing low-cost measures. This new page will help you learn how to assess your building's energy efficiency, find financing, save energy, and earn recognition.