Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced passage today of the 21^st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, which will make innovative, energy efficient investments in our local schools by updating buildings and classrooms. The bill also ensures students have up-to-date educational technology. The legislation will bring approximately $35 million to schools in the Tampa Bay area and will create tens of thousands of jobs nationwide.

“My goal is to make sure our students learn in modern classrooms and thereby prepare for careers in the 21^st Century,” Castor said. “Students and teachers must have access to modern classrooms and technology to help them compete globally.  Plus, we are able to create much-needed jobs and help our environment by investing in work that will lead to a clean energy economy.”

Hillsborough schools are expected to receive a $19.1 million grant through this legislation. Manatee schools are slated to receive about $4 million and Pinellas schools roughly $11.5 million.

Schools can use the money to make classrooms more energy efficient. Money can be used to repair, replace or install roofs, electrical wiring, plumbing and air conditioning systems. Schools can also use the grants to renovate systems to reduce the consumption of coal, electricity, natural gas, oil and water, enabling schools to save money on energy costs. Estimates show that green schools use one-third less energy and one-third less water than non-green schools.

Money also can be used to update science labs, libraries, career and technical education facilities.

The legislation would generate jobs in the economy. The bill’s construction funding would create about 136,000 construction jobs nationwide. The construction industry has been particularly hard hit during this economic downturn.

The money provided by this bill would be in addition to the $1.8 billion now available for Florida’s schools under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That money can be used to update, repair and renovate schools.