Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2013
Key claim: The bill would make the Department of Energy the lead federal coordinator for helping schools find and use existing federal programs to finance energy-efficiency and renewable-energy upgrades, including a single website, technical assistance, and recognition for successful projects.
Abstract
(S1084 · 113th Congress) Streamlining Energy Efficiency for Schools Act of 2013 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Secretary of Energy (DOE), acting through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, to act as the lead federal agency for coordinating and disseminating information on existing federal programs and assistance that may be used to help initiate, develop, and finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy retrofitting projects for schools. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out a review of existing programs and financing mechanisms available in or from appropriate federal agencies with jurisdiction over energy financing and facilitation that are currently used or may be used for such purposes; (2) establish a federal cross-departmental collaborative coordination, education, and outreach effort to streamline communication and promote available federal opportunities and assistance for such projects that enables states, local educational agencies, and schools to use existing federal opportunities more effectively and to form partnerships with governors, state energy programs, local educational, financial, and energy officials, state and local officials, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate entities to support project initiation; (3) provide technical assistance for states, local educational agencies, and schools to help develop and finance projects that meet specified requirements; (4) develop and maintain a single online resource website with contact information for relevant technical assistance and support staff in the Office for states, local educational agencies, and schools to effectively access and use federal opportunities and assistance to develop such projects; and (5) establish a process for recognition of schools that have successfully implemented such projects and are willing to serve as resources for other local educational agencies and schools to assist initiation of similar efforts. Latest action (2013-06-25): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 113-70.
Why this matters
Schools face a fragmented landscape of federal energy-efficiency programs across multiple agencies, and district facilities staff often lack the capacity to identify and combine them. A DOE-led coordination role — even without new money — would change how districts discover and access existing financing, potentially affecting utility costs that compete with instructional budgets. As a 2013 introduced bill, it also establishes a baseline for comparison with later school infrastructure and green-schools proposals in this area.