NAAEE and partners in the Coalition for Climate Education Policy invite organizations to join us in signing on to a letter to the U.S. Congress asking that the refurbishment of public K-12 schools (a program embodied in S.96 and H.R. 604, the Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act (RRASA)) be included the Congressional infrastructure plan or a future budget reconciliation bill. This would authorize $100 billion in grants and $30 billion in bonds for major and much needed rennovations. Please sign on by COB July 9, 2021. 

Schools are not currently part of the bi-partisan infrastructure plan even though, next to highways, public schools represent our largest public infrastructure system.

There are ongoing negotiations on infrastructure and including provisions of the RRASA legislation would provide an opportunity for about one third of U.S. public schools--those plagued by deteriorated and environmentally dangerous buildings and grounds, along with tribal schools--to come up to a safe and healthy standard that fosters excellence in education and academic achievement.  See this BASIC Coalition media release and an Op-Ed from members of the Aspen Instiitute's K-12 Climate Action Commission for additional background information.

Importantly, due to the hard work and advocacy of the green buildings and schools and environmental health and justice communities, RRASA contains vital provisions for school greening and environmental health, indoors and out. These improvements will also go a long way towards helping our nations schools be more resilitent and adaptable to our changing climate. 

Please join us in letting Congress know how urgent it is that school infrastructure get the funding necessary! Sign on for your organization here.