The U.S. Department of Energy has announced awards of about $178 million to 24 local education agencies in 22 states as part of the Renew America's Schools Program.
The department says in a news release that the grants will be spent on projects to lower energy costs, lower emissions, and create healthier, safer, and more supportive learning environments.
This funding will directly benefit about 74,000 students and 5,000 teachers in 97 school buildings, the department says.
The energy department says that 78% of the applicants for Renew America’s Schools requested improvements in HVAC; 55% requested improvements in lighting; 41% requested building controls; and 30% requested improvements to the building envelope.
Local education agencies from 48 states and two territories submitted funding requests totaling nearly $5.5 billion. In response to the high demand and overwhelming evidence of public need, the energy department more than doubled the funding for Round 1 of the Renew America's Schools competition from $80 million to $178 million.
The 24 local education agencies selected for funding:
- Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria, Va.
- Austin Independent School District, Austin, Texas
- Baltimore County Public Schools, Windsor Mill, Md.
- Bridgeport Public Schools (in partnership with University of Connecticut), Bridgeport, Ct.
- Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools (in partnership with Region Five Development Commission), Cass Lake, Minn.
- Charlo School District, Charlo, Mont.
- Choctaw County School District, Weir, Miss.
- Clinton School District, Clinton, Ark.
- Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Greenup County School District, Greenup, Ky.
- Jefferson County School District, Birmingham, Ala.
- Kane County School District, Kanab, Utah.
- Matchbook Learning Centers, Indianapolis, Ind.
- Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, Tenn.
- Natick Public Schools, Natick, Mass.
- North Wasco County School District 21, Mosier, Ore.
- Nottoway County Public Schools, Blackstone, Va.
- Porterville Unified School District, Porterville, Calif.
- St. Maries School District #41, Saint Maries, Idaho.
- Warner Public Schools Oklahoma, Warner, Okla.
- White River School District 47-1, White River, S.D.
- William Penn School District, Yeadon, Pa
- Williamsfield Schools (CUSD #210) and 19 LEAs, Williamsfield, Ill
- Winnett Public School District #1, Winnett, Mont.
