In an effort to save school districts money and reduce diesel exhaust emissions Representative Patrick of Tarrant County has presented a bill that bans school buses from idling for extended periods of time. The ban in House Bill 4208 ends idling for buses outside of schools or at school events, preventing the tailpipe exhaust generated by diesel engines from accumulating on and around the bus and posing a health risk to children and to bus drivers. Breathing air heavy with tiny particles can be dangerous, even over a short time, because these particles are so miniscule, they can enter the circulatory system and damage blood vessels.
Additionally, there is a financial cost to this practice - idling wastes fuel and money. A typical bus burns approximately one-half gallon of diesel fuel for each hour it idles. The less school buses idle, the more money districts can save. This measure helps reduce diesel exhaust emissions and also saves school districts money.
Rep. Mike Villarreal has filed HB 2337 to promote construction of energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly schools. The bill provides increased state support through the Existing Debt Allotment program to districts that build to green standards.
The bill directs the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) to determine the score necessary in the pre-construction phase of green building rating programs to qualify for the higher level of state assistance.
The purpose of the Green Schools Caucus is to serve as a resource to legislators, and to provide you with information on green issues affecting our Texas public schools - including the latest research, transportation initiatives, available grants and more. Our hope is that the Caucus will serve as a working group for legislators and their staff to brainstorm green schools issues and specific legislation. Listed below is a set of principles this Caucus supports:
- New schools in Texas should be built to a high standard of energy efficient design in order to achieve long term savings in energy costs over their lifespan.
- Existing schools should be renovated when cost effective to reduce energy costs and improve the work environment for both students and teachers.
- Developing more energy efficient schools in Texas will lower the load on Texas’ power infrastructure, and will promote the growth of a green economy in Texas.
- Promoting healthy learning environments are essential for producing high performance schools where both students and teachers can excel in the workplace.
- School districts should not be asked to take on any additional burdens without the financial support necessary to carry out these reforms.
