School bonds could fund energy efficiency projects

Senators advanced a bill March 23 that would expand an existing authority of school districts to levy property taxes and issue bonds for capital projects to include energy efficiency projects.

LB283, introduced by Malcolm Sen. Ken Haar, would include energy efficiency projects in the $0.052 levy school districts receive for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund (QCPUF). Currently, QCPUF allows expenditures for environmental hazards, accessibility barriers, life safety code violations, indoor air quality and mold abatement.

Under the bill, energy efficiency projects also could include:
• inspection and testing regarding energy usage;
• maintenance to reduce, control or eliminate energy usage; or
• restoration or replacement of material in new or existing school grounds or buildings that would reduce or eliminate energy usage.

Schools could cut costs by becoming more energy efficient, Haar said, resulting in higher cost-savings to taxpayers.

Omaha Sen. Heath Mello spoke in support of the bill, saying it focuses on making significant investments. Prioritizing energy efficiencies in school financing models, he said, could save the state money in the long run. Furthermore, he said, energy efficient schools provide higher-quality learning environments.

Holdrege Sen. Tom Carlson spoke in opposition to the bill and said he is concerned about adding capital projects to bonds that do not require public votes. Issuing school bonds for energy efficiency projects is a good idea, he said, but people should be allowed to vote on how bond funds are spent.

Haar introduced an amendment that would require schools that receive funding for energy efficiency projects maintain an Energy Star efficiency rating — using the Environmental Protection Agency’s free online tool — during the term of any bonds issued for such projects.

The amendment was adopted 26-7 and the bill advanced from general file on a 26-9 vote.