Volume 151, No. 152 covering the 1st Session of the 109th Congress (2005 - 2006) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SCHOOL BUILDING ENHANCEMENT ACT” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2372 on Nov. 16, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
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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