Rep. Sciortino Attends Green Schools Conference in D.C.

The following announcement is from State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford, Somerville):

Legislators from around the country launch nationwide green schools initiative

Representative Carl Sciortino attended a conference last week hosted by the US Green Building Council in Washington, DC. The legislative summit was held to show what school districts across the country can do to implement environmentally conscious construction and renovation in public schools.

“Green Schools” utilize sustainable design to create a healthy physical environment for students and teachers. Incorporating green design often results in safer indoor air quality, increased natural light, and more consistent indoor temperature. Creating a more comfortable and welcoming atmosphere in schools helps to improve student attendance and retain teachers. By investing in green schools, the operating costs over the life of the building are significantly reduced. These water, electricity, and maintenance savings can be reinvested into students and teachers.

Providing students with well-designed facilities can have countless benefits to their education. Good use of space, lighting, and windows increases focus and enables students to learn through engaging with their environment. Green buildings could promote environmental stewardship from an early age and provides a model to encourage innovation and creativity.

Sciortino is the lead sponsor of House Bill 3121, An Act relative to energy efficient construction. Included in this bill is a measure to help provide economic assistance to schools that want to incorporate green design into school construction or renovation. “This conference provided a wonderful opportunity to meet with other legislators and see the types of projects happening across the country.” During this financially strapped time, some districts are being very creative in going green. “It was interesting to see what schools can achieve with little or no additional upfront costs and how these strategies can translate to schools in our community,” says Sciortino.

The USGBC is a national non-profit organization that seeks to promote environmentally sustainable building construction and operation. Their Green Schools Legislative Summit sought to show legislators that committing to green construction and renovation is beneficial for school districts across the country. Green schools will save districts money and provide better physical learning environments for students and teachers. There are now twenty-six green schools caucuses or working groups in legislatures across the country, including Massachusetts.