“Cool Schools” Legislation Passes Committee on Ways & Means

  PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

June 3, 2011

Contact: Ben DuPree, Communications Director, 503-224-4011

“Cool Schools” Legislation Passes Committee on Ways & Means

House Bill 2960 will create jobs, protect environment, and help ensure health and well-being of Oregon’s K-12 students

SALEM – Today the Oregon Legislature’s Joint Committee on Ways and Means approved House Bill 2960, known as the “Cool Schools” bill, which will create badly-needed jobs and protect both the environment and Oregon schoolchildren by fast-tracking energy efficiency and health and safety upgrades for the state’s K-12 schools.

 “Times are tough, and passing the ‘Cool Schools’ legislation is a significant step we can take to protect our environment and cut costs at Oregon’s K-12 schools at the same time,” said Jon Isaacs, OLCV Executive Director. “By making energy efficiency, environmental, and health upgrades, we can reduce operational costs, protect the well-being of students and teachers, and create the most effective learning environments possible.”

OLCV and the Oregon Conservation Network have identified HB 2960 as a top priority. By creating more sustainable schools that use energy and water more efficiently, improve indoor air quality and acoustics, and reduce harmful toxics, Oregon’s children and taxpayers will get the most out of our public schools and we will create jobs.

“For Oregon’s schoolchildren, for our environment, and for job creation ‘Cool Schools’ is win-win-win,” said Senator Richard Devlin (D-Tualatin), Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. “I’m proud that I can join with the OLCV in working to move this critical bill forward.”

HB 2960 now goes to the Oregon House for consideration.

The Oregon League of Conservation Voters passes laws that protect our natural legacy, elects pro-environment candidates, and holds all of our elected officials accountable.

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