Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright’s legislation to encourage energy efficiency unanimously passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bipartisan Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act (H.R. 627) provides a coordinating structure to help schools better navigate available federal programs and financing options for energy efficiency improvements to their facilities. First introduced in the 113th Congress, the Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act unanimously passed the House in 2014 and 2016.

“I’m happy my colleagues are once again prioritizing this important legislation,” said Rep. Cartwright. “This bill promotes strategic and cost-saving investment while improving our schools and protecting the environment.”

According to Energy Star, America’s schools spend $7.5 billion per year on energy costs, making energy an enormous part of schools’ operating budgets, second only to personnel costs.

The Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act would establish a clearinghouse through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  The clearinghouse will publish information on federal programs and financing tools that may be used to develop energy efficiency, distributed generation, and energy retrofitting projects for schools.