On November 29, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced that applications are open for the Renew America’s Schools grant program.  This initial funding round, up to $80 million of the $500 million program, is available to public schools to perform energy improvements in the highest-need K-12 districts across the country. School facilities are the second-largest sector of public infrastructure spending according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, yet school buildings are consistently reported as aging, unhealthy and inefficient. The Renew America’s Schools program is a first-of-its-kind investment made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as part of the Administration’s broader Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure. The program will help create healthier learning environments, lower utility costs, and redirect funds to support students and teachers.

“By making our students’ learning environments healthier with these critical energy improvements, our children will be better able to reach their full potential in the classroom,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE is working diligently to deploy these critical funds so that schools can start turning infrastructure improvements into healthier learning environments and big cost savings, as soon as possible.”

The Renew America’s Schools grant program will support the implementation of infrastructure improvements in schools, with a focus on local education agencies (LEAs) that qualify as rural and/or high poverty. Eligible projects can include a variety of energy improvements, including new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). The deadline for applicant concept papers is January 26, 2023, and full applications are due April 21, 2023.

In tandem with the Renew America’s Schools grant program, DOE launched a $4.5 million prize program, Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools (Energy CLASS Prize). This competitive program will support up to 25 high-need LEAs by providing a $100,000 cash award to winners for the purpose of building the workforce through training and the staffing of energy management positions. Through the Energy CLASS Prize, energy managers will learn to identify, implement, and maintain projects that will improve health and efficiency in their districts. At the conclusion of the first year of the program, participating LEAs can submit a progress report and – based on performance – may qualify for an additional $50,000. Applications for the Energy CLASS Prize are open now through February 28, 2023.  

For more information on the program and prize, visit DOE’s Schools Energy Improvements webpage.

The newest episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report features ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg, who highlights the importance of community engagement in cleanup of the weapons complex and discusses ECA's new interactive online guide to cleanup FAQs.

Community involvement is a central element in the success of the Department of Energy's (DOE) environmental cleanup program. Local community leaders, elected officials and the public at-large are invited to take a seat at the table to provide input and participate in discussions about cleanup priorities.

As an organization, ECA advocates for and supports communities around DOE cleanup sites. The newest episode of Gone Fission spotlights ECA's new Guide of Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive guide is designed to help communities and other interested parties in developing an effective and collaborative approach in working with DOE toward accomplishment of mutual cleanup goals at DOE sites.

To view the full episode, please click here: https://youtu.be/mQ_C6UlPfbU.