The bill amends Chapter 16-9 of the General Laws by introducing a new section, 16-9-11, which requires the Department of Education and the Office of Energy Resources to develop and adopt regulations mandating that all school buildings meet the latest Northeast Collaborative for High Performance Schools (NE-CHPS) standard of zero energy capable by December 31, 2037. The regulations must be developed by June 30, 2026, and will allow local education agencies to pursue state and federal funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems without penalties affecting state housing aid. Additionally, the bill provides guidance for local education agencies to build, own, and operate solar panels in accordance with federal guidelines established in the Internal Revenue Code.

The bill also makes several amendments to Chapter 16-7, including the introduction of a new definition for "zero energy capable," which specifies that a building must meet the NE-CHPS standard whereby the actual annual energy delivered must be less than or equal to the renewable energy generated onsite or the sum of renewable energy generated onsite, offsite, and the value of purchased NE-GIS certificates. Furthermore, it increases the school housing aid ratio for projects that meet specific criteria related to high-performance design and energy efficiency upgrades, including a ten percent increase for new construction or renovation projects that achieve the zero energy capable standard.

Additionally, the bill outlines new requirements for school housing projects exceeding $10 million, including the necessity of an independent study to determine the potential benefits of adopting a project labor agreement. It enhances the responsibilities of the school building authority, emphasizing compliance with NE-CHPS standards and the importance of conducting a needs survey every five years to assess capital needs and progress towards energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

Statutes affected:
35: 16-105-3