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Connecticut Senate Bill SB00961

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00961 Compare Versions

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77 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 961
88 January Session, 2023
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1414 AN ACT CONCERNING CARBON -FREE SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
1515 FOR NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND ESTABLISHING OTHER
1616 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
1717 FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
1818 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1919 Assembly convened:
2020
2121 Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For the purposes of this 1
2222 section: 2
2323 (1) "Net-zero energy" means a public school building design that 3
2424 maximizes such building's energy efficiency and on-site renewable 4
2525 energy production in an effort to produce as much energy as such 5
2626 building will use. 6
2727 (2) "Class I renewable energy source" has the same meaning as 7
2828 provided in section 16-1 of the general statutes. 8
29-(3) "Superintendent" means a superintendent, as described in section 9
30-10-157 of the general statutes. 10
29+(3) "Superintendent" means a superintendent, as described in 9
30+section 10-157 of the general statutes. 10
3131 (4) "Workforce development program" means an apprenticeship 11
3232 program that is registered with the United States Department of Labor 12
33-or a federally recognized state apprenticeship agency that actively trains 13
34-employees, has functioning training facilities and regularly graduates 14
35-apprentices to journeyperson status who are placed in employment or 15 Substitute Bill No. 961
33+or a federally recognized state apprenticeship agency that actively 13
34+trains employees, has functioning training facilities and regularly 14
35+graduates apprentices to journeyperson status who are placed in 15 Substitute Bill No. 961
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42-preapprenticeship training that enables students to qualify for training 16
43-in such an apprenticeship program. 17
44-(5) "Cost-effective" means improvements that generate savings equal 18
45-to or greater than the initial cost of such improvements over the useful 19
46-life of such improvements. 20
47-(6) "Solar power feasibility study" means a report that determines if a 21
48-proposed solar power system is cost-effective and that is created by a 22
42+employment or preapprenticeship training that enables students to 16
43+qualify for training in such an apprenticeship program. 17
44+(5) "Cost-effective" means improvements that generate savings 18
45+equal to or greater than the initial cost of such improvements over the 19
46+useful life of such improvements. 20
47+(6) "Solar power feasibility study" means a report that determines if 21
48+a proposed solar power system is cost-effective and that is created by a 22
4949 qualified professional who estimates the costs, savings and greenhouse 23
5050 gas emissions reductions for a solar power system designed for a 24
51-building's available rooftops, parking lots or other areas while including 25
52-a financial plan with sources and uses of funding, including federal 26
53-incentives. 27
51+building's available rooftops, parking lots or other areas while 25
52+including a financial plan with sources and uses of funding, including 26
53+federal incentives. 27
5454 (7) "Energy efficiency feasibility study" means a report created by a 28
5555 qualified professional that estimates the costs, savings and greenhouse 29
56-gas emissions reductions for energy-efficiency improvements identified 30
57-by an energy audit and that includes a financial plan with sources and 31
58-uses of funding, including federal incentives. 32
56+gas emissions reductions for energy-efficiency improvements 30
57+identified by an energy audit and that includes a financial plan with 31
58+sources and uses of funding, including federal incentives. 32
5959 (8) "Energy audit" means an inspection or survey of a building's 33
6060 current energy systems and an analysis of current energy consumption 34
6161 and production. 35
6262 (9) "Improvements" means new solar power systems and energy 36
63-efficiency improvements as identified by a solar power feasibility study 37
64-and energy efficiency feasibility study. 38
63+efficiency improvements as identified by a solar power feasibility 37
64+study and energy efficiency feasibility study. 38
6565 (10) "Qualified professional" means a trained and certified energy 39
6666 professional. 40
6767 (11) "Journeyperson" means a person who has completed a trade 41
68-apprenticeship or is recognized or classified as a skilled person and who 42
69-possesses a valid journeyperson card or occupational license. 43
70-(12) "Project labor agreement" means an agreement that: (A) Binds all 44 Substitute Bill No. 961
68+apprenticeship or is recognized or classified as a skilled person and 42
69+who possesses a valid journeyperson card or occupational license. 43
70+(12) "Project labor agreement" means an agreement that: (A) Binds 44 Substitute Bill No. 961
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77-contractors and subcontractors on the covered project to the project 45
77+all contractors and subcontractors on the covered project to the project 45
7878 labor agreement through the inclusion of specifications in all relevant 46
7979 solicitation provisions and contract documents; (B) allows all 47
8080 contractors and subcontractors to compete for contracts and 48
8181 subcontracts on the project without regard to whether such contractors 49
8282 or subcontractors are otherwise parties to collective bargaining 50
8383 agreements; (C) establishes uniform terms and conditions of 51
8484 employment for all construction labor employed on such projects; (D) 52
85-guarantees against strikes, lockouts and similar job disruptions; (E) sets 53
86-forth mutually binding procedures for resolving labor disputes arising 54
87-during the project labor agreement; (F) requires contractors to partner 55
88-with a preapprenticeship program; and (G) includes any other 56
85+guarantees against strikes, lockouts and similar job disruptions; (E) 53
86+sets forth mutually binding procedures for resolving labor disputes 54
87+arising during the project labor agreement; (F) requires contractors to 55
88+partner with a preapprenticeship program; and (G) includes any other 56
8989 provisions as negotiated by the parties to promote successful delivery 57
9090 of the covered project. 58
9191 (13) "Environmental justice community" has the same meaning as 59
9292 provided in section 22a-20a of the general statutes. 60
9393 (14) "Extension" and "replacement" have the same meanings as 61
9494 provided in section 10-282 of the general statutes. 62
9595 (b) On and after July 1, 2024, any new construction, replacement or 63
9696 extension of a public school building shall be net-zero energy. The 64
9797 Commissioner of Administrative Services shall require applications 65
9898 submitted for such construction, replacement and extensions, on and 66
9999 after July 1, 2023, for grants for such school construction projects under 67
100-section 10-283 of the general statutes to demonstrate how the project will 68
101-achieve net-zero energy to the greatest extent practicable. 69
100+section 10-283 of the general statutes to demonstrate how the project 68
101+will achieve net-zero energy to the greatest extent practicable. 69
102102 (c) Each public school district shall commission a solar power 70
103103 feasibility study for each building owned by the district and submit the 71
104104 study results to the Connecticut Green Bank not later than July 1, 2024. 72
105105 (d) If the proposed solar power system is determined to be cost-73
106106 effective, the superintendent shall secure the relevant permits and 74
107107 contracts for such project not later than January 1, 2028. Any cost of 75 Substitute Bill No. 961
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114114 repairing, upgrading or replacing the building's roof may be included 76
115115 in the determination of a solar power system's cost-effectiveness. 77
116-(e) Each superintendent shall prioritize projects under this section by 78
117-greenhouse gas emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness and first 79
118-undertake the project that offers the best combination of such factors. 80
119-(f) If the solar power feasibility study determines that the solar power 81
120-system is not cost-effective due to the costs of repairing, upgrading or 82
121-replacing the building's roof, the superintendent shall make a good faith 83
122-effort to ensure that the next scheduled roof replacement or major roof 84
123-repair project for such building will allow the roof to support a solar 85
124-power system. When implementing such roof replacements or major 86
125-roof repair projects, the school district shall determine whether the 87
126-replacement or repair will allow the roof to support a solar power 88
127-system. Whenever the roof of such a building can support a solar power 89
128-system or major roof repair, the superintendent shall cause a solar 90
129-power system to be installed not later than two years after the date of 91
130-such determination. 92
131-(g) Any school district that undertakes improvements pursuant to 93
132-this section shall pay each construction employee employed for such 94
133-improvements wages and benefits that are not less than the prevailing 95
134-wage and fringe benefit rates prescribed in section 31-53 of the general 96
135-statutes for the corresponding classification in which such employee is 97
136-employed. 98
137-(h) Any energy cost savings generated pursuant to an improvement 99
138-undertaken pursuant to this section shall, to the extent possible, be 100
139-retained by the school district undertaking such improvement. 101
140-(i) Not later than July 1, 2025, each superintendent shall commission 102
141-an energy efficiency feasibility study for each building owned by the 103
142-school district and submit the report to the Connecticut Green Bank. 104
143-Such study shall include an energy audit to identify opportunities for 105
144-improvements that would result in energy cost savings and greenhouse 106 Substitute Bill No. 961
116+(e) Each superintendent shall prioritize projects under this section 78
117+by greenhouse gas emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness and 79
118+first undertake the project that offers the best combination of such 80
119+factors. 81
120+(f) If the solar power feasibility study determines that the solar 82
121+power system is not cost-effective due to the costs of repairing, 83
122+upgrading or replacing the building's roof, the superintendent shall 84
123+make a good faith effort to ensure that the next scheduled roof 85
124+replacement or major roof repair project for such building will allow 86
125+the roof to support a solar power system. When implementing such 87
126+roof replacements or major roof repair projects, the school district shall 88
127+determine whether the replacement or repair will allow the roof to 89
128+support a solar power system. Whenever the roof of such a building 90
129+can support a solar power system or major roof repair, the 91
130+superintendent shall cause a solar power system to be installed not 92
131+later than two years after the date of such determination. 93
132+(g) Any school district that undertakes improvements pursuant to 94
133+this section shall pay each construction employee employed for such 95
134+improvements wages and benefits that are not less than the prevailing 96
135+wage and fringe benefit rates prescribed in section 31-53 of the general 97
136+statutes for the corresponding classification in which such employee is 98
137+employed. 99
138+(h) Any energy cost savings generated pursuant to an improvement 100
139+undertaken pursuant to this section shall, to the extent possible, be 101
140+retained by the school district undertaking such improvement. 102
141+(i) Not later than July 1, 2025, each superintendent shall commission 103
142+an energy efficiency feasibility study for each building owned by the 104
143+school district and submit the report to the Connecticut Green Bank. 105
144+Such study shall include an energy audit to identify opportunities for 106 Substitute Bill No. 961
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151-gas emissions reductions. 107
152-(j) Whenever energy efficiency improvements are determined to be 108
153-cost-effective pursuant to an energy efficiency feasibility study 109
154-conducted pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the superintendent 110
155-shall begin the process to make such improvements and place such 111
156-energy-efficient improvements in service not later than July 1, 2028. If 112
157-such study determines that such improvements will only be cost-113
158-effective as a replacement of older equipment at the end of such 114
159-equipment's useful life, the superintendent shall make arrangements to 115
160-replace such older equipment with energy-efficient equipment when 116
161-such older equipment becomes inoperative. Each superintendent shall 117
162-monitor conditions and expiration dates of such older equipment and 118
163-make necessary preparations to replace such equipment upon its 119
164-expiration or breakdown, including the upgrading of circuit panels to 120
165-allow for a heat pump to be installed. The requirements of this 121
166-subsection shall not apply to emergency replacements and instances of 122
167-economic hardship. 123
168-(k) Any school district that undertakes an improvement pursuant to 124
169-subsection (j) of this section shall pay each construction employee 125
170-employed for such improvements wages and benefits that are not less 126
171-than the prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates prescribed in section 127
172-31-53 of the general statutes for the corresponding classification in 128
173-which the employee is employed. 129
174-(l) Any energy cost savings associated with an improvement 130
175-undertaken pursuant to subsection (j) of this section shall, to the extent 131
176-possible, be retained by the school district that undertakes such 132
177-improvement. 133
178-(m) (1) For any existing maintenance workers at a public school 134
179-building, the superintendent shall make available training on the 135
180-operations and management of such solar power system or energy 136
181-efficiency system installed pursuant to this section. 137 Substitute Bill No. 961
151+improvements that would result in energy cost savings and 107
152+greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 108
153+(j) Whenever energy efficiency improvements are determined to be 109
154+cost-effective pursuant to an energy efficiency feasibility study 110
155+conducted pursuant to subsection (i) of this section, the superintendent 111
156+shall begin the process to make such improvements and place such 112
157+energy-efficient improvements in service not later than July 1, 2028. If 113
158+such study determines that such improvements will only be cost-114
159+effective as a replacement of older equipment at the end of such 115
160+equipment's useful life, the superintendent shall make arrangements to 116
161+replace such older equipment with energy-efficient equipment when 117
162+such older equipment becomes inoperative. Each superintendent shall 118
163+monitor conditions and expiration dates of such older equipment and 119
164+make necessary preparations to replace such equipment upon its 120
165+expiration or breakdown, including the upgrading of circuit panels to 121
166+allow for a heat pump to be installed. The requirements of this 122
167+subsection shall not apply to emergency replacements and instances of 123
168+economic hardship. 124
169+(k) Any school district that undertakes an improvement pursuant to 125
170+subsection (j) of this section shall pay each construction employee 126
171+employed for such improvements wages and benefits that are not less 127
172+than the prevailing wage and fringe benefit rates prescribed in section 128
173+31-53 of the general statutes for the corresponding classification in 129
174+which the employee is employed. 130
175+(l) Any energy cost savings associated with an improvement 131
176+undertaken pursuant to subsection (j) of this section shall, to the extent 132
177+possible, be retained by the school district that undertakes such 133
178+improvement. 134
179+(m) (1) For any existing maintenance workers at a public school 135
180+building, the superintendent shall make available training on the 136
181+operations and management of such solar power system or energy 137
182+efficiency system installed pursuant to this section. 138 Substitute Bill No. 961
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188-(2) For any such project described in this section that receives a loan 138
189-from the Net-Zero Schools Loan Program established in subsection (p) 139
190-of this section, contractors shall be enrolled in an apprenticeship 140
191-program that is registered with the United States Department of Labor 141
192-or a federally recognized state apprenticeship agency and shall partner 142
193-with a workforce development program in which newly hire d 143
194-employees and already hired employees that are residents located in the 144
195-same municipality as the school project, and individuals with barriers 145
196-to employment, including people who have been incarcerated and 146
197-people who have been traditionally underrepresented in the relevant 147
198-employment, are given the opportunities for skill development that will 148
199-enable such persons to qualify for higher paying jobs in their field. 149
200-(n) The Connecticut Green Bank shall: (1) Supervise a program that 150
201-provides technical assistance to school districts that seek to develop 151
202-solar power system and energy efficiency projects for public schools 152
203-pursuant to this section, (2) administer the Net-Zero Schools Loan 153
204-Program established pursuant to subsection (p) of this section, (3) 154
205-supervise a program that offers technical assistance, project 155
206-development, public education and training for officials of public school 156
207-districts involved in developing solar power and energy efficiency 157
208-projects, (4) supervise energy audits, solar power feasibility studies and 158
209-energy efficiency feasibility studies undertaken pursuant to this section, 159
210-(5) evaluate the success of the overall program and make 160
211-recommendations concerning improvements to the program, and (6) 161
212-employ a staff of engineers, policy analysts, financial experts, 162
213-community liaisons or other experts as needed to perform the 163
214-Connecticut Green Bank's responsibilities. 164
215-(o) (1) There is established the Public Schools Solar and Energy 165
216-Efficiency Fund within the Connecticut Green Bank. Such fund shall be 166
217-a nonlapsing fund that shall be available for the purpose of providing 167
218-loans to school districts in furtherance of the provisions of this section, 168
219-except that the unspent balance of the fund shall revert to the General 169
220-Fund thirty years after the establishment of such fund. Such fund shall 170 Substitute Bill No. 961
189+(2) For any such project described in this section that receives a loan 139
190+from the Net-Zero Schools Loan Program established in subsection (p) 140
191+of this section, contractors shall be enrolled in an apprenticeship 141
192+program that is registered with the United States Department of Labor 142
193+or a federally recognized state apprenticeship agency and shall partner 143
194+with a workforce development program in which newly hire d 144
195+employees and already hired employees that are residents located in 145
196+the same municipality as the school project, and individuals with 146
197+barriers to employment, including people who have been incarcerated 147
198+and people who have been traditionally underrepresented in the 148
199+relevant employment, are given the opportunities for skill 149
200+development that will enable such persons to qualify for higher paying 150
201+jobs in their field. 151
202+(n) The Connecticut Green Bank shall: (1) Supervise a program that 152
203+provides technical assistance to school districts that seek to develop 153
204+solar power system and energy efficiency projects for public schools 154
205+pursuant to this section, (2) administer the Net-Zero Schools Loan 155
206+Program established pursuant to subsection (p) of this section, (3) 156
207+supervise a program that offers technical assistance, project 157
208+development, public education and training for officials of public 158
209+school districts involved in developing solar power and energy 159
210+efficiency projects, (4) supervise energy audits, solar power feasibility 160
211+studies and energy efficiency feasibility studies undertaken pursuant 161
212+to this section, (5) evaluate the success of the overall program and 162
213+make recommendations concerning improvements to the program, 163
214+and (6) employ a staff of engineers, policy analysts, financial experts, 164
215+community liaisons or other experts as needed to perform the 165
216+Connecticut Green Bank's responsibilities. 166
217+(o) (1) There is established the Public Schools Solar and Energy 167
218+Efficiency Fund within the Connecticut Green Bank. Such fund shall be 168
219+a nonlapsing fund that shall be available for the purpose of providing 169
220+loans to school districts in furtherance of the provisions of this section, 170
221+except that the unspent balance of the fund shall revert to the General 171 Substitute Bill No. 961
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227-consist of any funds required to be deposited in such account, including, 171
228-but not limited to, any funds appropriated to the fund, repayment of all 172
229-funds related to loans made from the fund, investment gains from the 173
230-fund and any funds donated or gifted to the fund. 174
231-(2) Such fund shall be capitalized with four hundred million dollars 175
232-from the Connecticut Green Bank and one hundred million dollars from 176
233-the issuance of bonds of the state or capital funds. From such funding, 177
234-four hundred million dollars shall be allocated to the Net-Zero Schools 178
235-Loan Program established pursuant to subsection (p) of this section. 179
236-Seventy-five million dollars of such funding shall be used to enhance 180
237-the creditworthiness of public school districts. Twenty-five million 181
238-dollars of such funding shall be allocated to the Connecticut Green Bank 182
239-grants for audits and feasibility studies, program oversight, public 183
240-education, training of school district officials and providing technical 184
241-assistance for project development. Resources expended from such fund 185
242-shall be supplemental to and not in lieu of any other funding that is 186
243-designated for public school districts for school facility improvements 187
244-construction. 188
245-(p) There is established the Net-Zero Schools Loan Program to 189
246-provide low-interest or no-interest loans to public school districts in the 190
247-state for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects that generate 191
248-energy cost savings. 192
249-(1) Eligible projects under such program include, but are not limited 193
250-to, the installation of on-site Class I renewable energy sources, energy-194
251-efficient lighting upgrades, building control upgrades, insulation or 195
252-building envelope upgrades, heating, ventilating and air conditioning 196
253-repair or replacement, planting and maintenance of native species of 197
254-shade trees that reduce energy consumption and renovations for 198
255-strategic daylighting. 199
256-(2) Eligible project costs under such program shall include: The 200
257-reasonable costs of construction, alterations or renovations of public 201
258-school buildings, associated site preparation and development, 202 Substitute Bill No. 961
228+Fund thirty years after the establishment of such fund. Such fund shall 172
229+consist of any funds required to be deposited in such account, 173
230+including, but not limited to, any funds appropriated to the fund, 174
231+repayment of all funds related to loans made from the fund, 175
232+investment gains from the fund and any funds donated or gifted to the 176
233+fund. 177
234+(2) Such fund shall be capitalized with four hundred million dollars 178
235+from the Connecticut Green Bank and one hundred million dollars 179
236+from the issuance of bonds of the state or capital funds. From such 180
237+funding, four hundred million dollars shall be allocated to the Net-181
238+Zero Schools Loan Program established pursuant to subsection (p) of 182
239+this section. Seventy-five million dollars of such funding shall be used 183
240+to enhance the creditworthiness of public school districts. Twenty-five 184
241+million dollars of such funding shall be allocated to the Connecticut 185
242+Green Bank grants for audits and feasibility studies, program 186
243+oversight, public education, training of school district officials and 187
244+providing technical assistance for project development. Resources 188
245+expended from such fund shall be supplemental to and not in lieu of 189
246+any other funding that is designated for public school districts for 190
247+school facility improvements construction. 191
248+(p) There is established the Net-Zero Schools Loan Program to 192
249+provide low-interest or no-interest loans to public school districts in 193
250+the state for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects that 194
251+generate energy cost savings. 195
252+(1) Eligible projects under such program include, but are not limited 196
253+to, the installation of on-site Class I renewable energy sources, energy-197
254+efficient lighting upgrades, building control upgrades, insulation or 198
255+building envelope upgrades, heating, ventilating and air conditioning 199
256+repair or replacement, planting and maintenance of native species of 200
257+shade trees that reduce energy consumption and renovations for 201
258+strategic daylighting. 202
259+(2) Eligible project costs under such program shall include: The 203 Substitute Bill No. 961
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265-equipment and furnishing for the site or public school building, 203
266-architectural, engineering or construction management charges, 204
267-commissioning of building systems and training staff to maintain public 205
268-school building systems; and any associated ordinary and reasonable 206
269-legal fees. 207
270-(3) Any loan provided to a public school district under such program 208
271-shall be for a fixed loan period. Loans may be used to satisfy non-federal 209
272-match requirements for federal grants. 210
273-(4) (A) Sixty per cent of the initial amount of funding for the Net-Zero 211
274-Schools Loan Program shall be allotted to all public school districts in 212
275-the state according to a formula to be determined by the Connecticut 213
276-Green Bank. Such formula shall consider need as determined by any 214
277-feasibility study conducted pursuant to this section. 215
278-(B) Forty per cent of the initial amount of funding for such loan 216
279-program shall be allotted to public school districts located in 217
280-environmental justice communities on a competitive basis. 218
281-(5) After the third year of operation of such loan program, any 219
282-allotted portion of such fund that is not loaned to a school district shall 220
283-be available to any public school district in the state on a competitive 221
284-basis. 222
285-(6) Each recipient of a loan from such program shall pay each 223
286-construction employee employed for such improvements wages and 224
287-benefits that are not less than the prevailing wage and fringe benefit 225
288-rates prescribed in section 31-53 of the general statutes for the 226
289-corresponding classification in which the employee is employed on 227
290-improvements covered by such loan. Any such recipient shall 228
291-additionally negotiate a project labor agreement in good faith if the total 229
292-project cost is greater than ten million dollars. For the purposes of this 230
293-section, improvements completed at the same building in accordance 231
294-with the provisions of this section shall not be segmented to avoid the 232
295-requirements of this subdivision. 233 Substitute Bill No. 961
266+reasonable costs of construction, alterations or renovations of public 204
267+school buildings, associated site preparation and development, 205
268+equipment and furnishing for the site or public school building, 206
269+architectural, engineering or construction management charges, 207
270+commissioning of building systems and training staff to maintain 208
271+public school building systems; and any associated ordinary and 209
272+reasonable legal fees. 210
273+(3) Any loan provided to a public school district under such 211
274+program shall be for a fixed loan period. Loans may be used to satisfy 212
275+non-federal match requirements for federal grants. 213
276+(4) (A) Sixty per cent of the initial amount of funding for the Net-214
277+Zero Schools Loan Program shall be allotted to all public school 215
278+districts in the state according to a formula to be determined by the 216
279+Connecticut Green Bank. Such formula shall consider need as 217
280+determined by any feasibility study conducted pursuant to this 218
281+section. 219
282+(B) Forty per cent of the initial amount of funding for such loan 220
283+program shall be allotted to public school districts located in 221
284+environmental justice communities on a competitive basis. 222
285+(5) After the third year of operation of such loan program, any 223
286+allotted portion of such fund that is not loaned to a school district shall 224
287+be available to any public school district in the state on a competitive 225
288+basis. 226
289+(6) Each recipient of a loan from such program shall pay each 227
290+construction employee employed for such improvements wages and 228
291+benefits that are not less than the prevailing wage and fringe benefit 229
292+rates prescribed in section 31-53 of the general statutes for the 230
293+corresponding classification in which the employee is employed on 231
294+improvements covered by such loan. Any such recipient shall 232
295+additionally negotiate a project labor agreement in good faith if the 233
296+total project cost is greater than ten million dollars. For the purposes of 234 Substitute Bill No. 961
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302-(q) (1) Each public school district shall notify the Department of 234
303-Administrative Services' Office of School Construction Grants and 235
304-Review of such district's intention to undertake solar power and energy 236
305-improvements projects. Such school district shall demonstrate to such 237
306-office the cost-effectiveness of any such project and identify available 238
307-sources of money from local and federal governments for such project. 239
308-In calculating the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement for 240
309-such project, the school district shall deduct any federal funds or state 241
310-and local funds other than education aid. Energy improvements 242
311-associated with any such project shall be presumed to be eligible for 243
312-capital reimbursement consistent with the existing reimbursement 244
313-formula for such district. 245
314-(2) The Department of Administrative Services' Office of School 246
315-Construction Grants and Review may challenge a proposed energy 247
316-improvement project not later than thirty days after receipt of 248
317-notification pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. If no such 249
318-challenge is made within such period of time, the proposal shall be 250
319-deemed approved. 251
320-(r) (1) Each public school district shall measure and report annually 252
321-to the Connecticut Green Bank on the district's energy consumption, 253
322-solar generation and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions using 254
323-Energy Star Portfolio Manager or an equivalent platform. The 255
324-Connecticut Green Bank shall make data on each public school district's 256
325-energy consumption, solar generation and greenhouse gas emissions 257
326-available on a publicly accessible Internet web site. 258
327-(2) Each superintendent shall publish annual reports on the state of 259
328-the solar power and energy efficiency systems in each public school 260
329-building of such school district. The Connecticut Green Bank shall 261
330-publicize any shortcomings concerning such solar power and energy 262
331-efficiency systems and work with the superintendent to overcome 263
332-obstacles to making improvements. Each consumer, employee or 264
333-taxpayer of the state, including, but not limited to, labor unions, may 265
334-request a report on the state of the solar and energy efficiency projects 266 Substitute Bill No. 961
303+this section, improvements completed at the same building in 235
304+accordance with the provisions of this section shall not be segmented 236
305+to avoid the requirements of this subdivision. 237
306+(q) (1) Each public school district shall notify the Department of 238
307+Administrative Services' Office of School Construction Grants and 239
308+Review of such district's intention to undertake solar power and 240
309+energy improvements projects. Such school district shall demonstrate 241
310+to such office the cost-effectiveness of any such project and identify 242
311+available sources of money from local and federal governments for 243
312+such project. In calculating the amount of expenses eligible for 244
313+reimbursement for such project, the school district shall deduct any 245
314+federal funds or state and local funds other than education aid. Energy 246
315+improvements associated with any such project shall be presumed to 247
316+be eligible for capital reimbursement consistent with the existing 248
317+reimbursement formula for such district. 249
318+(2) The Department of Administrative Services' Office of School 250
319+Construction Grants and Review may challenge a proposed energy 251
320+improvement project not later than thirty days after receipt of 252
321+notification pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. If no such 253
322+challenge is made within such period of time, the proposal shall be 254
323+deemed approved. 255
324+(r) (1) Each public school district shall measure and report annually 256
325+to the Connecticut Green Bank on the district's energy consumption, 257
326+solar generation and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions using 258
327+Energy Star Portfolio Manager or an equivalent platform. The 259
328+Connecticut Green Bank shall make data on each public school 260
329+district's energy consumption, solar generation and greenhouse gas 261
330+emissions available on a publicly accessible Internet web site. 262
331+(2) Each superintendent shall publish annual reports on the state of 263
332+the solar power and energy efficiency systems in each public school 264
333+building of such school district. The Connecticut Green Bank shall 265
334+publicize any shortcomings concerning such solar power and energy 266 Substitute Bill No. 961
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341-in a public school building from such superintendent. Not later than 267
342-thirty days after any such request, the superintendent shall cause to be 268
343-published a report on such solar and energy efficiency projects. 269
344-(s) Each public school district shall include climate change impacts, 270
345-such as flooding, sea level rise and increased storm surges, as risks in 271
346-such district's real property asset assessment and management. 272
347-(t) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Department of Public Health 273
348-shall develop an informational poster on the health impacts of emissions 274
349-from idling vehicles. Each public school shall display such 275
350-informational poster in the school lobby or other visible space not later 276
351-than February 1, 2024. Each public school shall post anti-idling signs in 277
352-student pick-up and drop-off areas of such school and other areas where 278
353-vehicles frequently idle not later than February 1, 2024. 279
354-(u) On and after January 1, 2025, occupied classrooms in any public 280
355-school shall be heated to a temperature of not less than sixty-five degrees 281
356-and not greater than seventy-two degrees during cold weather periods 282
357-and cooled to not greater than seventy-eight degrees and not less than 283
358-seventy degrees during hot weather periods. 284
359-(v) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Public Health 285
360-shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 286
361-of the general statutes, to require all public school districts to (1) 287
362-periodically test water samples from all taps used for drinking or 288
363-cooking in each school facility for the presence of lead; and (2) remediate 289
364-sources of lead contamination when lead is detected. Said department 290
365-shall publish the water test results from each public school facility on a 291
366-publicly accessible Internet web site and share the results with the 292
367-school district's water utility if served by a public water system. 293
368-(w) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any grant 294
369-for new public school construction submitted to the Department of 295
370-Administrative Services on or after January 1, 2024, shall include a 296
371-requirement for the installation of a school kitchen with a dishwasher 297 Substitute Bill No. 961
341+efficiency systems and work with the superintendent to overcome 267
342+obstacles to making improvements. Each consumer, employee or 268
343+taxpayer of the state, including, but not limited to, labor unions, may 269
344+request a report on the state of the solar and energy efficiency projects 270
345+in a public school building from such superintendent. Not later than 271
346+thirty days after any such request, the superintendent shall cause to be 272
347+published a report on such solar and energy efficiency projects. 273
348+(s) Each public school district shall include climate change impacts, 274
349+such as flooding, sea level rise and increased storm surges, as risks in 275
350+such district's real property asset assessment and management. 276
351+(t) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Department of Public Health 277
352+shall develop an informational poster on the health impacts of 278
353+emissions from idling vehicles. Each public school shall display such 279
354+informational poster in the school lobby or other visible space not later 280
355+than February 1, 2024. Each public school shall post anti-idling signs in 281
356+student pick-up and drop-off areas of such school and other areas 282
357+where vehicles frequently idle not later than February 1, 2024. 283
358+(u) On and after January 1, 2025, occupied classrooms in any public 284
359+school shall be heated to a temperature of not less than sixty-five 285
360+degrees and not greater than seventy-two degrees during cold weather 286
361+periods and cooled to not greater than seventy-eight degrees and not 287
362+less than seventy degrees during hot weather periods. 288
363+(v) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Commissioner of Public 289
364+Health shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of 290
365+chapter 54 of the general statutes, to require all public school districts 291
366+to (1) periodically test water samples from all taps used for drinking or 292
367+cooking in each school facility for the presence of lead; and (2) 293
368+remediate sources of lead contamination when lead is detected. Said 294
369+department shall publish the water test results from each public school 295
370+facility on a publicly accessible Internet web site and share the results 296
371+with the school district's water utility if served by a public water 297
372+system. 298 Substitute Bill No. 961
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378-and shall indicate the manner in which solid waste, including recycling 298
379-and food scraps, will be sorted and collected at such facility. Before any 299
380-such new school is constructed, the applicable public school district 300
381-shall create a waste management plan that implements waste 301
382-prevention, recycling and composting. 302
379+(w) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any 299
380+grant for new public school construction submitted to the Department 300
381+of Administrative Services on or after January 1, 2024, shall include a 301
382+requirement for the installation of a school kitchen with a dishwasher 302
383+and shall indicate the manner in which solid waste, including recycling 303
384+and food scraps, will be sorted and collected at such facility. Before 304
385+any such new school is constructed, the applicable public school 305
386+district shall create a waste management plan that implements waste 306
387+prevention, recycling and composting. 307
383388 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
384389 sections:
385390
386391 Section 1 from passage New section
387392
393+Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
394+In Section 1, the definitions of the terms "net zero energy building" and
395+"fossil fuel infrastructure" were deleted as unused terms, "renewable
396+energy source" was deleted for redundancy with the definition of
397+"Class I renewable energy source"; in Section 1(p)(1), reference to
398+renewable energy sources was changed to Class I renewable energy
399+sources; in Section 1(e), "under this section" was added for clarity; in
400+Section 1(m), "installed pursuant to this section" was added for clarity;
401+and in Section 1(o), "in perpetuity" and "such funds shall not be subject
402+to reversion" were deleted as redundant with the use of the term
403+"nonlapsing".
388404
389405 ENV Joint Favorable Subst.
390-FIN Joint Favorable
391406