The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, reintroduced in the U.S. House by Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack, passed last month by a 275-155 vote. The proposal would provide $6.4 billion nationally, $34 million for Iowa, for local school districts to incorporate green design and building practices.

The money would go toward the modernization, renovation or repair of public schools, including public charter schools, to make them safe, healthy, high-performing and technologically up to date.

The bill is significant for Iowa because it demonstrates Iowa’s leadership in creating green, sustainable structures and protecting the environment. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, buildings account for close to half (48 percent) of all greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumed in the United States, far ahead of transportation (27 percent) and industry sectors (25 percent), which are typically thought of as the biggest offenders.

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