Establishes the green schools New York act

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill establishes that the bill shall be cited as the Green Schools New York Act.

Section 2 amends § 408 of the education law by adding new subsection 3-a, which requires state school districts to comply with the energy conservation practices and standards established in the department's manual of planning standards -appendix: NY - CHPS (Most Current Version): High Performance Schools Guidelines.

Section 3 of the bill amends 408-a of the education law by giving the commissioner of education, in consultation with The New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) authority to make plans and specifications for the construction of new school buildings consistent with the department's manual of planning standards - appendix: NY - CHPS (Most Current Version): High Performance School Guidelines. The commissioner of education shall, as often as he or she deems advisable but at least annually, review such master sets and, after consultation with NYSERDA, and subject to approval of the director of the budget, may revise or cancel any of such sets or prepare new sets.

Section 4 establishes this act to take effect on the three hundred sixty-fifth day after it shall have become a Law; provided that NYSED is authorized to promulgate, amend or repeal any rule or regulation which it deems necessary or appropriate to implement this act.

Justification

NYSED published the New York High Performance Schools Guidelines (NY-CHPS) in 2007 as a voluntary Appendix to the NYSED Manual of Planning Standards. NYSERDA provides the NY-CHPS Verification Program offering no-cost, third party verification of compliance with NY-CHPS as well as support and training programs for districts, professional design teams and contractors.

Research has found that schools can be built and renovated using high-performance methods that save money, improve school performance and make teachers, staff, and students more productive. High performance school buildings are proven to increase student test scores, reduce worker absenteeism, improve teacher and staff retention and cut energy and utility costs. Several states already have policies that require green building practices for public schools, including, California, New Jersey, Ohio and Washington. Green buildings use resources, including energy, water, materials and land more efficiently and effectively and provide healthier environments for working, learning and living. Green buildings minimize the negative

environmental consequences by lessening changes to the natural environment; using recycled or recyclable material; incorporating renewable and energy efficient power generation systems; using water resources more efficiently and producing less waste. Green school buildings provide employees and students with a healthier indoor work environment by effectively controlling air ventilation systems and using alternative paints, finishes, adhesives, furniture, and fabrics that do not negatively affect air quality, By building green, school districts can save money by reducing maintenance costs and create sustainable buildings, which would foster new developments in green technologies.

New York was among the first states in the nation to offer a tax incentive program for the developers and builders of environmentally friendly buildings. New York has signed into law measures intended to encourage building owners and developers to design, construct and operate buildings that are more in harmony with the environment. The purpose of this act is to implement the development of high performance green school buildings by the State's school districts.

Fiscal implications

None to the state

Effective date

This act shall take effect 365 days after enactment.