[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2187) to 
     direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to State 
     educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or 
     repair of pubilc school facilities, and for other purposes:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, I rise today as a member of the Green 
Schools Caucus to strongly support the 21st Century Green High-
Performing Public School Facilities Act.
  Many of our nation's schools are in disrepair. The average American 
school is 50 years old and almost two-thirds need extensive 
modernization. According to the GAO, 14 million students attend schools 
considered below standard or dangerous. In my own district, thousands 
of students go to class in portable classrooms--trailers located 
outside the school buildings--because the schools can no longer 
accommodate the growing student population. But in a time of state 
budget deficits, fewer dollars are going to school construction 
projects.
  Today's bill will assist local school districts with the initial 
costs of construction and modernization and, by investing in energy 
efficient technology, will result in significant long term savings. 
Building green costs about 2 percent more than conventional 
construction, but can save 20 times that amount over the life of the 
school.
  Moreover, green school construction yields substantial environmental 
benefits. Green schools use on average 33 percent less energy and 
produce less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and coarse 
particulate matter emissions.
  With its investment in infrastructure, this bill provides an 
important economic stimulus. School districts have many projects ready 
to go. When this bill is passed, we will see additional jobs in the 
construction industry, including suppliers, architects, contractors, 
and engineers.
  Mr. Chair, this legislation is a good, long-term investment. I urge 
my colleagues to pass this bill today and work to ensure that it is 
fully funded to improve education, reduce our energy consumption, and 
create jobs in local communities.