[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3719-S3720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. UDALL of Colorado (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Burris, 
        Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Tester):
  S. 3364. A bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to 
establish the Office of Energy and Renewable Energy as the lead Federal 
agency for coordinating Federal, State, and local assistance provided 
to promote the energy retrofitting of schools; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I am introducing a 
bipartisan bill along with my colleague Senator Collins entitled the 
Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2010. This bill is 
designed to streamline the Federal Government's efforts to improve the 
health and efficiency of our schools, while creating much-needed jobs 
in the process.
  I am pleased that Senators Burris, Merkley and Murray are also 
joining us as original cosponsors of this bill.
  For the past year I have been travelling across Colorado as part of a 
work force tour to talk directly to Coloradans and hear their 
innovative policy ideas to create jobs. These ongoing efforts help me 
identify ways the Federal Government can help or is not as effective as 
it can be in supporting economic development and meeting our national 
energy goals. The Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 
2010 comes directly from visiting with Coloradans. This bill is just 
one of several job-creation proposals developed after I hosted an 
Energy Jobs Summit in February in Colorado.
  There are numerous Federal programs and funds already available to 
schools to help them become more energy efficient. However, schools 
face a morass of programs and agency offices across the government and 
it is challenging for schools to take full advantage of them. This 
bipartisan bill will force the government to coordinate their efforts 
so that schools are less confused and they can better navigate the 
existing federal programs and financing options available to them. Put 
simply, it will streamline the Federal Government while still leaving 
decisions to the states, school boards and local officials to determine 
what is best for their schools.
  I have had a longstanding interest in energy efficiency technologies. 
These technologies further our national goals of broad-based economic 
growth, environmental protection, national security, and economic 
competitiveness.
  I have also been a long-time champion of energy efficiency in our 
schools, introducing and co-sponsoring many bills over the years in the 
House of Representatives that promoted the efficient use of energy by 
our schools.
  I have seen these energy efficient buildings first hand when 
traveling in Colorado. It is good to see that there are schools in my 
state that are already incorporating this technology into their 
buildings. For example, the Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood 
Village, CO, has incorporated day lighting techniques and ice storage 
to cool the buildings during the day. Because of these innovative 
improvements, the school district has enjoyed significant cost savings. 
This is good news not just for Colorado students, but also for Colorado 
taxpayers.
  In another example, Colorado's Poudre School District in Fort 
Collins, CO, actively promotes sustainable design guidelines, calling 
it their ``Ethic of Sustainability.'' This program includes an 
elementary school in Fort Collins that actually uses recycled blue 
jeans as insulation for the school buildings. This school has a ``Truth 
Wall,'' an exposed cross-section where kids can see the denim at work, 
look at pipes and electrical systems, and check school energy use.
  I hope that in passing this bill we will see more examples of these 
successful and creative projects across the country--projects that will 
increase the efficiency of our schools and teach our students about the 
importance of saving energy.
  Through effective use of existing Federal Government programs and 
financing options, schools can reduce costs and create jobs at the same 
time becoming more energy efficient. Though it is often overlooked, 
energy efficiency is a huge job creator. Not only does it create jobs 
through the purchase and installation of efficient materials, it frees 
up scarce school finances to retain teachers and important programs.
  What excites me most about this bill is that it will create jobs for 
Americans in every neighborhood where schools improve their energy 
efficiency. Right now, creating jobs is priority one for all of us.
  But additionally, this bill helps reduce barriers to schools wishing 
to incorporate innovative energy efficiency measures, and creates a 
simple, streamlined structure to allow schools

[[Page S3720]]

to more effectively use existing Federal funds and programs--at a low 
cost. These cutting edge actions--which we are all seeing across our 
states--are making government more efficient and saving taxpayer 
dollars, a goal we all share. I urge my colleagues--of both parties--to 
join me in supporting this bipartisan legislation.
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