Legislators in the Senate and House introduced separate bills creating green school initiatives this week.

Sen. Ray Musto (D-Luzerne) introduced legislation that will increase the school construction reimbursement rates for school districts that follow the LEED green building design standards. Increased reimbursements would also be available for projects which rehabilitate or make additions to existing buildings in lieu of brand new construction.

The bill has not yet been assigned a number. For more information contact Marilyn Zilli, Esq., executive director of the Education Committee for Sen. Musto at 717-787-7105.

Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) introduced House Bill 633 this week that provides financial incentives to school districts to purchase buses and other vehicle fueled with clean alternative fuels by changing the annual state reimbursement rate for pupil transportation.

House Bill 633 would also increase the reimbursement rate for school districts that construct buildings meeting the LEED green building standards.

For more information contact Rep. Hershey’s office at 717-783-6435.

2/18/2005