School building

K-12 School Districts Selected for Renew America's Schools Grant Money

24 districts to share $178 million for energy improvements.   July 10, 2023


By Dave Lubach, Executive Editor


Two-dozen K-12 public school districts in the U.S. were selected to share $178 million for energy improvements as part of the first round of funding from the Renew America’s Schools program. 

The $500 million program aims to help school districts lower utility costs, reduce emissions and create healthier learning environments for students and faculty. The projects will focus on energy efficiency while improving indoor air quality (IAQ), reducing pollution, improving occupancy comfort and upgrading lighting systems. Projects will also include installing renewable technology such as solar panels and batteries as well as installing infrastructure to support alternative-fueled vehicles. 

The Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) received 236 applications for the funding. The overwhelming responses prompted the DOE to more than double the original funding amount of $80 million. 

A second round of funding is anticipated for Spring of 2024. 

The selected school districts are as follows: 

  • Alexandria City Public Schools, Alexandria, Virginia 
  • Austin Independent School District, Austin, Texas 
  • Baltimore County Public Schools, Windsor Mill, Maryland 
  • Bridgeport Public Schools (in partnership with University of Connecticut), Bridgeport, Connecticut 
  • Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools (in partnership with Region Five Development Commission), Cass Lake, Minnesota 
  • Charlo School District, Charlo, Montana 
  • Choctaw County School District, Weir, Mississippi 
  • Clinton School District, Clinton, Arkansas 
  • Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Fairbanks, Alaska 
  • Greenup County School District, Greenup, Kentucky 
  • Jefferson County School District, Birmingham, Alabama 
  • Kane County School District, Kanab, Utah 
  • Matchbook Learning Centers, Indianapolis, Indiana 
  • Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Memphis, Tennessee 
  • Natick Public Schools, Natick, Massachusetts 
  • North Wasco County School District 21, Mosier, Oregon 
  • Nottoway County Public Schools, Blackstone, Virginia 
  • Porterville Unified School District, Porterville, California 
  • Maries School District #41, Saint Maries, Idaho 
  • Warner Public Schools Oklahoma, Warner, Oklahoma 
  • White River School District 47-1, White River, South Dakota 
  • William Penn School District, Yeadon, Pennsylvania 
  • Williamsfield Schools (CUSD #210) and 19 LEAs, Williamsfield, Illinois 
  • Winnett Public School District #1, Winnett, Montana 

Dave Lubach is the executive editor for the facility market. 

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