Comment Log Display

December 14, 2015

Dear Air Resources Board:

On behalf of the School Energy Coalition (SEC), an organization
made up of K-14 schools and associate members focused on energy and
water efficiency projects for California’s students, I am writing
to provide comments on the Cap and Trade Auction Trade Proceeds
Investment Plan in anticipation of the December 17, 2015 hearing.

SEC appreciates the changes that have recently been made to the Cap
and Trade Investment Plan (CTIP) recommending that school projects
become an active part of the state’s strategy for auction revenue
to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thus addressing the very
serious issue of global climate change. 

With over 10,000 school buildings in over 1,000 school districts
throughout the state SEC believes that California schools should be
key partners in assisting the state to meet GHG reduction targets. 
According to the Collaborative on High Performing schools (CHPS),
one in five Californians spends their day in a K-12 school and
schools contribute roughly 5-8% of California’s GHG emissions.

In addition, we urge that a new energy and water school grant
program be considered along with funding for technical assistance
for schools who wish to build upon the energy efficiency work they
are already doing under the Proposition 39 program.  We have a
unique opportunity to leverage the timely work that is being done
under program such as baseline data, analysis, and benchmarking
that are required for Proposition 39 funding. 

This program is allowing schools to take the first steps toward
better and more efficient use of energy, but this funding does not
go far enough to do the deep retrofits that could make a real
difference toward lowering GHG throughout the state. Schools are
poised to do so much more with regard to efficiency and renewable –
and now more than ever schools are poised to attain “zero net
energy” status.

Water projects should also be a priority because we know that it
takes an extraordinary amount of energy to move water to where it
is needed.  Public school districts are often in charge of many
acres of lawn in cities and towns across the state – and have been
identified as large water users by water districts.  

Projects that conserve or more efficiently use or re-use water will
contribute greatly to lowered greenhouse gas emissions and
educating the users of tomorrow, our students.  Schools are already
struggling to meet the state’s emergency water mandates while
keeping up playfields and ensuring that they are safe for students
and other community members who may share these facilities.

In addition, funding for addressing long-term ongoing water use
through landscaping and infrastructure - such as purple pipe -
could go a long way toward allowing schools to take real, permanent
action and save millions of gallons of water annually.  We are also
able to easily identify those schools in disadvantaged communities
through our free and reduced price meal data.

Finally, we ask that a thorough review of existing energy, water
and transportation programs be made to ensure that school projects
specifically have priority access or separately designated funding
under the plan. Schools already have state agency partnerships with
the Department of Education, the California Energy Commission, and
now the Water Board on programs such as Prop 39 and the Drought
Response Outreach Program for Schools (DROPS).  

Schools are a sure way to ensure that every community has public
projects that they can be proud of and teaches consumers of
tomorrow about conservation and efficiency to address climate
change.  We look forward to working with you to ensure that schools
are an active part of the plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions
throughout California.

Sincerely, 

 
Anna Ferrera
Executive Director