S. 3362

Sustainable Schools Pollution Reduction Act of 2010

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II

Calendar No. 431

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3362

[Report No. 111–207]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 13, 2010

Mr. Sanders (for himself, Mrs. Boxer, and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

June 18, 2010

Reported by Mrs. Boxer, with amendments

Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To amend the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide competitive grants to publicly funded schools to implement effective technologies to reduce air pollutants (as defined in section 302 of the Clean Air Act), including greenhouse gas emissions, in accordance with that Act.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Sustainable Schools Pollution Reduction Act of 2010.

2.

Sustainable schools pollution reduction grant program

Section 105 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7405) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Sustainable schools pollution reduction grant program

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Elementary school; secondary school

The terms elementary school and secondary school have the meanings given the terms, respectively, in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(B)

Eligible school

The term eligible school means—

(i)

a public elementary school or a public secondary school; or

(ii)

a school district that encompasses a public elementary school or a public secondary school.

(C)

Program

The term program means the sustainable schools pollution reduction program established by paragraph (2)(A).

(2)

Program

(A)

Establishment

There is established within the Environmental Protection Agency a sustainable schools pollution reduction program.

(B)

Grants

(i)

In general

In carrying out the program, for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015, the Administrator shall provide competitive grants to eligible schools for use in implementing effective technologies to reduce air pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions.

(ii)

Criteria for selection of grantees

The Administrator shall provide criteria for selection for grants under the program, including criteria that ensure—

(I)

implementation of clean technologies that reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and offer additional benefits, such as—

(aa)

reduction of water consumption or water pollution;

(bb)

promotion of distributed renewable energy technologies, such as solar, small-scale or community-scale wind, geothermal, biomass, and other energy technologies; or

(cc)

demonstration of new and innovative technologies; and

(II)

prioritization of projects that provide opportunities for student involvement in the project to be funded, including—

(aa)

project installation;

(bb)

project data monitoring; and

(cc)

incorporation of the project into classroom curricula.

(iii)

Categories of grants and matching funds

Of the grant funds provided under the program—

(I)

not less than 40 percent shall be provided in amounts not to exceed $50,000 for each grant, with no required matching share; and

(II)

the remaining funds shall be provided—

(aa)

in amounts of not less than $50,000 but not to exceed $100,000 for each grant, with a required non-Federal share of 20 percent; and

(bb)

in amounts that exceed $100,000 but not to exceed $200,000, with a required non-Federal share of 50 percent.

(C)

Reports

Not later than 18 months after the date on which funds are made available to carry out this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation of the program, including, at a minimum, a description of—

(i)

the number of grant applications received;

(ii)

the number of grants funded, including the amount of each grant funded;

(iii)

the types of technologies funded; and

(iv)

the environmental, educational, and financial benefits to eligible schools receiving the grants.

(D)

Allocations

(i)

States

Notwithstanding the other provision of this section, the Administrator shall ensure, in awarding grants under this subsection, that at least 1 grant shall be awarded to an eligible school in each State if at least 1 eligible school in the State has submitted an application that meets the criteria described in subparagraph (B)(ii).

(ii)

Indian tribes

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, before providing grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall allocate at least 2.0 percent of the total annual amount made available to carry out this subsection among Indian tribes, based on criteria described in subparagraph (B)(ii).

(E)

Geographical and size differences

In addition to applying the criteria described in subparagraph (B)(ii), the Administrator shall ensure geographical diversity among grant awardees and ensure that grant awardees reflect a variety of schools sizes.

(F)
(D)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015.

.

June 18, 2010

Reported with amendments