MCKEON\JASEY WELCOME 'GREENING' OF SCHOOLS, POTENTIAL ENERGY SAVINGS IN MILLIONS

MCKEON\JASEY WELCOME 'GREENING' OF SCHOOLS, POTENTIAL ENERGY SAVINGS IN MILLIONS

NJ Lawmakers Commend Governor Corzine for Stimulating Economy, Providing Pro-Environment Setting for Children

(ORANGE) - Assemblyman John F. McKeon and Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey today welcomed Governor Jon S. Corzine's announcement of green elements in the planned construction of the Park Avenue Elementary School in the City of Orange.

"It is great to see a pro-environment approach from the ground up in school construction," McKeon (D-Essex) said. "By 'greening' our schools, New Jersey is taking a significant step forward in investing in quality education for our children while jump-starting the economy in an environmentally responsible way," McKeon, Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee chairman, added.

"It is fitting that we educate our children in a pro-environment setting and get them started thinking about the environment at an early age," Jasey (D-Essex) said. "For it is in the classrooms, cafeterias, hallways and playgrounds of schools that children begin to formulate ideas and values that help shape their character."

Jasey serves on the Assembly Education Committee and Joint Committee on the Public Schools. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee.    

School buildings represent the largest construction sector in the nation, accounting for an estimated $80 billion dollars between 2006 to 2008. Green schools typically cost less than $3 per square more to build, an investment that is paid back within a few years of operation, according to the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

According to New Jersey Schools Development Authority CEO Kris Kolluri, a 15% savings in energy costs are expected for Park Avenue Elementary from the high-efficiency HVAC heating and cooling systems to be used in its construction.  

"This is where it all begins," said SDA CEO Kolluri. "If we can teach the youngest of our population how to be good environmental stewards, then we can certainly expect a cleaner, safer, better world in the years to come. But we have the fundamental obligation to make sure that happens and that is what the Governor is doing with this construction. "

Other green elements in the construction of the school include the reuse of complete walls from the old structure for the school's new wing and using recycled rubber tires - rubberized mulsh - for the playground.  

According to the USGBC, if all new school construction and school renovations went green starting today, energy savings alone would total $20 billion over the next 10 years. The USGBC notes that a green school saves $100,000 per year in operation costs, an amount that is enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers or purchase 5,000 new textbooks.

"By investing in our schools, we are recognizing the right of every child to a quality education and preparing them to compete in a global marketplace. I am delighted that Governor Corzine and SDA CEO Kolluri chose the week we are celebrating Earth Day to come to Orange to announce this incredible gift of education - one that is environmentally sound," McKeon concluded.

McKeon and Jasey said they looked forward to supporting similar initiatives in future school construction projects.

###

Contact:
Assemblyman McKeon
Assemblywoman Jasey
Gita Bajaj (973) 224-4851 cellular