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, 2027, 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 construct, own, and operate solar panels in accordance with federal guidelines established in the Internal Revenue Code.

The bill also amends several sections within Chapter 16-7, including the definition of "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, the bill increases the school housing aid ratio for projects that meet specific criteria, such as high-performance school design or energy efficiency upgrades, with a 5% increase for high-performance projects and a 10% increase for projects that achieve the zero energy capable standard.

Additionally, the bill outlines 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 emphasizes compliance with minority business enterprise requirements and mandates that a needs survey include progress towards energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades for all state school buildings. The legislation aims to enhance the quality and sustainability of school facilities while ensuring equitable access to school housing aid.

Statutes affected:
2229: 16-105-3