Senator Liu Announces $47 million to Retrofit Local Schools Funds to Support Energy Savings and Job Creation

Senator Carol Liu (D- La Cañada) announces that an estimated $450 million will be available to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects, including roughly $47 million for schools in the 25th Senate District. Additionally, nearly $50 million will be provided to fund energy projects at California’s 112 community colleges. These projects provide a triple benefit by reducing energy bills, improving school conditions and providing needed jobs to help employ the 400,000 plus unemployed construction workers in the state.

As a main recipient of funds from the Proposition 39 – California Clean Energy Jobs Fund for the upcoming fiscal year, public schools will benefit from long-term energy savings. Clean energy projects will help reduce energy and utility bills due to inefficient lighting, heating, insulation, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Each school district will be provided a funding allotment based on the average daily attendance (ADA) and weighted for poverty. In order to ensure the projects proposed meet energy efficiency and clean energy requirements, school districts will need to submit an application to the California Energy Commission prior to receiving funds. The Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office will allocate funds for community colleges based on the number of full-time equivalent students.

Proposition 39, the California Clean Energy and Jobs Act, was approved by the voters in November with more than 60% support. It closed a corporate tax loophole that only benefited out-of-state corporations. It will generate about $1 billion a year for California. For the next five years, half of the money will be going to the state’s general fund and the other half toward measures designed to create jobs and save energy. The Yes on Prop 39 campaign was co-chaired by Senator Kevin De León (D-22, Los Angeles), Tom Steyer, and former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz.

Sen. Liu represents about 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Burbank, Glendale, Sunland-Tujunga, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, Altadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, Duarte, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Glendora, and Upland.