The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently celebrated 13 distinguished school districts at the 2024 White House Summit for Sustainable and Healthy K-12 School Buildings and Grounds. This event, held on April 26, 2024, focused on equity, learning, health, and climate, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating equitable and energy-efficient school facilities.

DOE’s Efficient and Healthy Schools Program

Since its inception in 2021, the DOE’s Efficient and Healthy Schools Program has worked with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) to provide technical support and foster improvements in school facilities across the nation. Berkeley Lab’s Energy Technologies Area has played a crucial role in designing and administering the program, collaborating with the New Buildings Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review submissions and select honorees.

Recognizing Leadership in School Districts

The honorees of the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program are exemplary models of how schools can implement energy efficiency, climate resilience, and health-focused renovations to promote a better learning environment. “We recognize these school districts for their exemplary retrofit projects, best practices in building assessment and operational performance, and goal setting to achieve sustained, long-term school building improvements,” said DOE Building Technologies Office Director Mandy Mahoney. Their initiatives showcase the positive impact schools can have on their communities, especially those in greatest need.

The program’s honorees were announced by Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk at the White House summit, placing a spotlight on these school districts’ achievements and providing a platform for other districts seeking peer guidance. Submissions were evaluated on various criteria, including approach, outcomes, impacts, replicability, and the provision of education and workforce training.

The Importance of Retrofitting School Buildings

Berkeley Lab’s Rengie Chan emphasized the importance of retrofitting existing school buildings as a critical step towards a clean energy future. These efforts not only contribute to sustainability but also create healthier and more inspiring environments for students and staff. The DOE’s Efficient and Healthy Schools Program provides technical assistance and resources, guiding schools through their journey to improved energy efficiency.

The program, led by DOE’s Building Technologies Office, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Education, is dedicated to assisting schools in implementing high-impact energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements. It supports a diverse range of schools, including those in rural and tribal areas and schools serving students in disadvantaged communities. Currently, the program includes 202 participants from schools and districts in 45 states, representing over 5 million students and more than 8,400 schools, with 70% of them eligible for federal financial assistance through Title I.

The 2024 Honorees

The 2024 Efficient and Healthy Schools Program honorees include:

• Boise School District, ID
• Broward County Public Schools, FL
• Canajoharie Central School District, NY
• Hamilton Southeastern Schools, IN
• IDEA Public Schools, TX
• Lansing Public School District, MI
• Livonia Public Schools, MI
• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA
• School District of Neillsville, WI
• Porterville Unified School District, CA
• Portland Public Schools, OR
• River Trails School District #26, IL
• Seattle Public Schools, WA

These districts exemplify the potential of energy efficiency in schools to not only reduce energy consumption in K-12 schools but also to inspire and provide healthier learning environments for students.

Click here to read the full article, originally published April 29, 2024 by Berkeley Lab.