Kentucky US Green Building Council Praises Legislators for Passage of HR24 Establishing a Green Schools Caucus

FRANKFORT – Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, holds up a photo of her 9-month-old granddaughter Maya Derricks as she explains a resolution encouraging construction of more energy efficient, "green" schools in Kentucky.  Photo by Bud Kraft, LRC Public Information.LOUISVILLE, KY… January 26, 2010: 

The Kentucky House of Representatives voted unanimously to institute a Green Schools Caucus for the Commonwealth.  With the passage of HR24, the Caucus will encourage the construction of more “green schools” -- energy efficient, water efficient, environmentally sustainable schools designed to improve learning and save school districts money.  

HR 24 co-sponsors Reps. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville, and Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green, proposed the creation of the Green Schools Caucus after traveling to Washington, D.C. to learn more about the green school concept. The health and learning benefits soon became clear, Marzian told fellow lawmakers during Tuesday’s floor vote.

“We are grateful to Reps. DeCesare and Marzian for coming together to submit HR24 and for House Majority Leader Adkins for his early support,” said KY USGBC executive director Joan Pauly.  “Today marks the continuation of the great work that’s already happened in Kentucky much of it centered on House Bill2 sponsored by Rep. Adkins.”

DeCesare, who represents part of Warren County, said green school technology is a good investment.

"For a one percent investment on the front end of a green school, you get that back ten times," DeCesare said. "Learning is better when you are in a green school." 

"Our teachers do such a wonderful job educating our children but, as you know, our buildings and our school buildings sometimes are quite lacking," said Marzian. "There has been data collected that kids who go to green schools have fewer absences for asthma. They make better grades, they do better in school, and our teachers have better attendance."

House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins said Kentucky is a leader in green schools construction and renovation, adding "it’s amazing what’s taken place in the area of energy efficiency and conservation."

KY USGBC Green Schools Advocate and Board Member Chris Tyler called attention to the three green schools now being built in Western and Northern Kentucky that are slated to be among the nation’s first "energy net-zero" public schools.  “Richardsville and Bristow Elementary Schools in Warren County are not only setting the standards for energy efficiency nationwide, but they are on track to achieve LEED Platinum which is the highest designation from USGBC and Twenhofel Middle School in Kenton County has received the first LEED Silver designation in Kentucky.” 

Senator Alice Forgy Kerr, R-Fayette County and Senator Julie Denton, R-Jefferson County filed SR90 to establish a Green Schools Caucus in the Senate immediately following the successful passage of HR24.  Vote date pending.

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