Urge Duluth School Leaders to Invest in Energy Improvements

The US Department of Energy launched Renew America’s Schools Program in 2022 with $500 million in funding available to promote clean energy improvements at K-12 public schools. This program, made possible through the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enables high-need school communities to make energy upgrades through a holistic approach. Funding is available for a variety of options including: new HVAC and ventilation systems; building envelope and lighting projects; renewable energy technologies; and even alternative fuel vehicles. The goal of this program is to promote clean energy infrastructure upgrades that will:

Create healthier learning environments to improve the health of students, teachers, and occupants

Lower utility costs

Improve indoor air quality

During the first year of the program, funding was more than doubled (from $80 million to $178 million) due to high demand from schools across the country. The next round of funding will open in Spring 2024 and now is the time to encourage the Duluth Public Schools District ISD 709 to act on this opportunity.

The district can also look into other chances for energy upgrade savings in the Inflation Reduction Act. The federal bill passed in 2022 also provides landmark opportunities for public and private entities to get tax credits and discounts on energy efficient technology that will help mitigate climate change.

Resources:

Contact City Leaders About this Issue

Use the sample letter below to send a letter to school board members about this issue. You can contact them at schoolboard@isd709.org.

Dear School Board Member,

$500 million in the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been available through the Renew America’s Schools Program in 2022 for K-12 public schools. In the first year of the program, funding was more than doubled (from $80 million to $178 million) due to high demand and established need from schools throughout the country. The Duluth Public School District ISD 709 did not act on this opportunity in 2022, but the district has another chance to do so when Round 2 of funding opens in Spring 2024. The program provides funding for energy infrastructure improvements that may include: new HVAC and ventilation systems, building envelope and lighting projects, renewable energy technologies, and even alternative fuel vehicles.

Renew America’s Schools Program has multiple benefits such as improving indoor air quality, reducing utility costs, and creating a healthier school environment for all that are a part of the school. Schools, which are the hearts of their communities, should prepare students for the technology and energy sourcing of the future. They can provide a model for the community in moving forward to a cleaner, healthier environment.

The Duluth community has so much to gain from taking part in the Renew America’s Schools program. I urge you to take the necessary steps to take advantage of this opportunity in the next round and help Duluth join other schools across the country to move towards a more sustainable, clean energy future.

Learn more about how Duluth schools can make clean energy upgrades from the Renew America’s Schools program website: Renew America’s Schools (https://www.energy.gov/scep/renew-americas-schools). Clean Energy Resource Teams (https://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/schools) are also a great organization to connect with on other clean energy opportunities.

Sincerely,

Your Name