[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 152 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SCHOOL BUILDING ENHANCEMENT ACT

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2005

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
will help schools implement energy saving measures to reduce their 
energy costs.
  We are all too painfully aware of the rising cost of energy. 
Americans across the Nation are being forced to make tough decisions in 
order to heat their homes or fill up their gas tanks. The recent spike 
in energy prices will also be felt in our schools which already spend 
$6 billion on energy costs--more than the amount they spend on 
textbooks and computers combined. Schools across the country are 
already facing tight budgets; rising energy costs will only worsen 
their budget situation and could lead to the loss of important school 
programs.
  However, there are ways that schools can offset the soaring price of 
energy. Through basic changes in the operations and maintenance of 
school buildings, operating costs can be reduced from 5-15 percent. To 
achieve even greater savings, schools can retrofit their buildings with 
more efficient systems and appliances.
  Although these investments produce economic benefits in the long 
term, start up financing is often difficult for cash strapped school 
systems. That is why I am introducing legislation that will provide 
schools with federal funding to implement these structural changes. 
Specifically, my legislation will provide grants through the 
Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for 
schools that are seeking to make energy efficient upgrades in their 
schools or build a new energy efficient building. Additionally, this 
legislation will allow schools to work with the Department of Energy to 
improve transportation systems that are available to students, 
employees and other members of the community.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill that will benefit our 
environment while assisting schools reduce their operating costs.

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