The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the 2024 Renew America's Schools Prize, according to an Energy.gov post. This prize offers $180 million to school districts nationwide that team up to improve energy use, indoor air quality (IAQ) and learning environments in K-12 schools. It is funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aims to enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy in underserved public schools.
Competitors will carry out energy assessments and improvement projects in 10 or more school buildings. These buildings can be from one or multiple school districts. Competitors must be capable organizations or teams able to handle projects across multiple buildings. In Phase 1, competitors will form teams and select school buildings that show they need and qualify for investment.
Phase 1 winners will get $300,000 and proceed to Phases 2 and 3, where they will work with the DOE through a Cooperative Agreement. Awards in Phases 2 and 3 will differ based on the number of buildings in the portfolio, ranging from $7.5 million to $15 million. DOE will give the biggest awards to portfolios with 20 or more buildings, offering $15,300,000 to winners in this category for completing all three phases.
The DOE is currently taking applications for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize. Submissions must be sent in by Thursday, June 13 at 5 p.m. eastern time.
Jeff Wardon, Jr. is the assistant editor for the facilities market.
