Advocacy Project: Issue Overview

Advocacy Project: Issues Overview

Introduction

• What is the issue/problem?

" To Promote Green Schools" The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide matching grants ($10,000) from 2009 through 2013 for environmentally focused school rehabilitation projects. Specifically including the following quoted from Thomas "Requires public school rehabilitation, repair, or equipment financed through bonds to serve the green goals of creating healthy learning environments while saving natural resources and money."

• What current legislation has been proposed to address this? (Identify bill # and name)
  

Name: "Promote Green Schools"
Bill Number: H.R. 58
Current Legislation:

3. 6.2009 Bill referred to the subcommittee on higher education, Lifelong learning, and Competitiveness
3.16.2009 Bill referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

See link above for past legislation.

Who is affected by the issue?

• Who is affected the most?

Children, staff, and teacher at the school whom wish to participate

• Who loses, and what do they lose?
  

Who Loses: US Government
Loss: $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013 for the EPA for matching grants

• Who gains, and what do they gain?

Who gains: Teachers, staff, children, and the environment as a whole
Gains: Safe, Clean, Environmentally stable working, learning environment

What are the consequences of the issue?

• For the individuals mostly affected?
  

The individuals affected will benefit from: mold prevention, thermal comfort, proper ventilation, and all sustainable site projects that will be completed. The projects will transform unhealthy school environments into safe learning spaces for all who use them.

• For their families?

Fewer sick days from children who's learning environment is not conducive to health, teacher and staff whom are parents will reap benefits of health from being in a work environment that is structurally sound, mold free, has clean quality air and an overall Eco - friendly environment.

• For society?

Society needs to take a green turn, and implementing green producers such as water sustainability projects into school which are such a pivotal part of communities, should start a trend in communities, cities, etc. helping to promote our society as a whole to focus more effort on conservation, reducing, reusing etc. to help our earth grow and flourish rather than drowned in our pollutants.

What is the economic impact of the issue?

• What are the economic costs of the issue, and who bears these costs?

There are grave economical costs for these types of projects: 5,000,000 over a course of four years. The costs will be assumed by the US government, the money will be delegated to the Environmental Protection Agency to distribute to local

• What are the economic benefits of the issue, and who benefits?

Economic benefits will spur from the concept that Eco friendly environments will provide safe and healthy areas for teachers which lessons the negative health impacts that your work space can have on a person. In addition the community as a whole may reap economic benefits if more parents want their children to attend this particular school because of its reputation for excellence in regards to being a safe and healthy learning environment.

What is the social impact of the issue?

The social impact of passing this bill will be very positive. It will provide students, teachers, and staff with safe and reliable work spaces as well as promote environmental

• What are the social costs of the issue, and who bears these costs?

Social costs will include but not be limited to, upset citizens of the community specifically those who live or work near the schools which will be remodeled because they may have to deal with minor noise and work conditions until the remodels are completed.

• What are the social benefits of the issue, and who benefits?

Socially the benefits of this type of investment are many and very positivity ones at that. Specifically air quality in schools, mold control, water sustainability and more, these items will benefit members of society, specifically teachers, students, staff, administration at schools across America.

What are the barriers?

• What are the barriers to addressing this issue?

-Cost is a major barrier for this issues, because it is a very substantial amount: 5,000,000 exactly.
-Individuals who do not believe that this bill should be pass (do not believe in environmental health)

• How can they be overcome?

Showing need for a grant program will help to overcome cost as a barrier, providing imagery and personal testimony of students, teachers, and staff who are learning and teaching in environments that are harmful to not only their personal health but the environment as a whole... which includes other members of communities that are not directly related to the school should help to increase awareness and help individuals to not equate cost as a barrier for passing legislation on this type of project.

What are the resources?

• What resources will we need to address this issue?
  

Money
Builders/contractors
Time (for remodels)
Support for community members, tax payers
Education for staff and administrators on how to uphold the going green concepts

• Where and how can they be tapped?

If the bill is passed the resources will be tapped by communities coming together, organizing builders for the remodels, organizing times for the building to occur. etc. It will communities, school boards, and citizens whom will find and use the resources list above to complete the necessary steps to green their schools.

What is the history of this issue?

• What is the history of the issue in the community? In the past the issue seems to have not been really discussed or deliberated. .
• What past efforts were made to address it? This website was last updated on Feb. 2 2009 but there was not current progress reports on how the city is doing to meet the following statements. "Duluth, Hermantown and Proctor school districts have received a grant from the Federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative!" This is indirectly related to the idea of going green in the sense that it is promoting Duluth area schools to have to provide safe and healthy school environments
• What were the results? It sounds to be from the quote above that Duluth is taking some initiative to make school safe for students, staff, etc. but not directly to make them "green."
  

Allies & Opponents

• Who would support this issue?
  

National Education Associate
Local builders who may have potential work opportunities
Environmental Protection Agency
Students
Staff
Families of students

• Who would oppose this issue

-Tax payers, specifically those whom are not teacher, staff, or students and have no children attending a school
-Individuals whom do not believe in environmental health issues relevant
- Citizens whom live or work near the area that will be under construction
- Those who will loose time for work (janitors, office assistants etc.) because they usually work year round and may have to take time off for remodels

Your Recommendation

• How do you want policy-makers to vote on this proposed policy?

Policy makers should vote "Yes" for "Promoting Green Schools" to help students, teacher, and staff in Eco-friendly teaching and learning.

Sources:

• Washington watch
  
• Thomas
• National Education Association
• Environmental Protection Agency
  
• Eco-Schools
• Independant School District 709
  

T