[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 146 (Monday, October 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2171-E2172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOLS ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 25, 1999

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the High 
Performance Schools Act of 1999, a bill intended to help school 
districts build schools that provide better learning environments for 
children, while also saving on energy costs and protecting the 
environment.
  I am pleased that my colleague George Miller is joining me as an 
original cosponsor of this bill.
  Many of you know about my interest in energy efficiency and renewable 
energy technologies. These technologies further our national goals of 
broad-based economic growth, environmental protection, national 
security, and economic competitiveness.
  In recent years, we've seen a wide array of successes in developing 
these technologies. In particular, much research has focused on 
improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy 
in building in a ``whole building'' approach to design and 
construction. By incorporating advanced energy efficiency technologies, 
daylighting, and renewable energy, ``whole buildings'' provide benefits 
in the way of energy savings, environmental protection, and economic 
efficiency. As buildings account for roughly a third of our annual 
energy consumption and a commensurate share of greenhouse gas 
emissions, this research focus seems well justified.
  The bill I am introducing today--the ``High Performance Schools Act 
of 1999''--takes the concept of ``whole buildings'' and puts it into 
the context of our schools. My bill would establish a program in the 
Department of Education to help school districts produce ``high 
performance'' school buildings. It would provide block grants to state 
offices to education and energy, via state Governors, that they would 
then provide to school districts for building design and technical 
assistance. These grants would be available to school districts that 
are faced with rising elementary and secondary school enrollments, that 
can't afford to make major investments in construction or renovation, 
and that commit to work with the state agencies to produce school 
facilities that incorporate a ``high performance'' building approach.
  The time is ripe for improving the way we build our schools. This 
country is currently experiencing a dramatic increase in student 
enrollment due to the ``baby boom echo.'' the children of the baby boom 
generation. During the 20 years from 1989 to 2009, this Nation is

[[Page E2172]]

being asked to educate an additional 8.3 million children. At the same 
time, over 70 percent of our Nation's schools were built before 1960 
and are now in need of major repairs.
  Visiting schools in the 2nd Congressional District in Colorado, I 
have seen firsthand the spaces in which our children are learning and 
growing. Many districts can't afford sorely needed remodeling or 
construction of new schools, while others are scrambling to address 
severe overcrowding issues. and we aren't alone: School enrollment in 
Colorado increased by 70,000 students in the last five years. While new 
schools open at or above capacity, enrollment is projected to grow in 
Colorado by 120,000 in the next decade.
  Clearly, there's an urgent need for school construction--in Colorado 
and in very state across the country. Thousands of communities 
nationwide red even now in the process of building new schools and 
renovating existing ones. But in drawing up construction plans, schools 
often focus on short-term construction costs instead of long-term, 
life-cycle savings. My bill would help ensure that school districts 
have the tools and assistance they need to make good building 
decisions.
  High performance schools are a win for energy savings and a win for 
the environment, but best of all, they are also a win for student 
performance. A growing number of studies link student achievement and 
behavior to the physical building conditions. A study from Mississippi 
State University, for example, showed that in schools in North 
Carolina, Texas and Nevada, variables such as natural light and climate 
control played a role in improved test scores, higher moral and fewer 
discipline problems.
  We wouldn't dream of just putting typewriters in these new schools--
we would install today's computer technology, Nor should we build 
yesterday's ``energy inefficient,'' non-sustainable, and less effective 
schools. Our kids are our country's future, and they should have the 
best school facilities, especially if they will cost less and benefit 
us all in other ways.
  In short, we have an enormous opportunity to build a new generation 
of sustainable schools, schools that incorporate the best of today's 
designs and technologies and as a result provide better learning 
environments for our children, cost less to operate, and help protect 
our local and global environment. The High Performance Schools Act 
would start us on the road to achieving these goals. I look forward to 
working with Mr. Miller and other Members of the House to move forward 
with this important initiative.

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