Elective Pay in Action
Federal energy tax credits and Elective Pay have transformed what’s possible for schools — helping fund infrastructure upgrades that lower energy costs, create healthier learning environments, and reduce costs to local taxpayers.
Over the last few years, schools across the country have pursued clean energy projects, celebrated receiving checks for completing these projects, and shared their experiences so others can learn and follow suit.
In early 2025, as Congress deliberated over the future of these tax credits, schools came to their defense.
Schools and Elective Pay Database
Meet the Schools Leading on Elective Pay
Elective Pay makes it affordable for schools to modernize with efficient, reliable, energy solutions, creating cost-savings for districts and healthier, more resilient learning environments for students.
Check out which school districts are tapping into this opportunity.
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Contributors
Elective Pay is new to many school districts, but it works. Check out these examples of school districts that have leveraged federal investment in their clean energy projects.
Could your district be taking advantage of these federal dollars?
Schools Cashing Checks from the IRS
Has your district received a check from the IRS? Tell us about it!
School District Spotlight: Hart County Schools (Kentucky)
On December 19, Hart County Schools celebrated the receipt of $793,078 in energy tax credits from Elective Pay for the installation of a ground-source heat pump at Memorial Elementary School. As one of the first districts in Kentucky—and nationwide—to receive an energy tax credit, Hart County Schools is leading the way in modernizing their school infrastructure with cost-effective, reliable energy technologies. “This energy performance contract with CMTA will save Hart County Schools $6.7 million over 20 years by significantly cutting energy use by 52%, leading to lower utility bills. These improvements not only reduce energy and utility costs but also make our schools healthier for students and staff,” said Nathan Smith, Superintendent of Hart County Schools.
Learn more about this project: Hart County Schools gets $793,000 via energy-savings project
School leaders and partners are not only sharing their successes with energy tax credits, but also how they got there. Explore these district case studies and state fact sheets.
Dive Deeper into Real-World Projects
District Case Studies
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Indiana
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Kentucky
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Maine
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State Fact Sheets
Michigan Fact Sheet
Arizona Fact Sheet
California Fact Sheet
Wisconsin Fact Sheet
Minnesota Fact Sheet
Pennsylvania Fact Sheet
Public K-12 schools face a $85 billion annual shortfall in funding for school facilities and federal dollars are few and far between.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act brought a once-in-a-generation opportunity for schools: the ability to defray the cost of clean energy projects with federal dollars. With Elective Pay, schools could receive tax credits as cash reimbursements. This changed the game for schools, providing an affordable path to modern technologies.
In early 2025, Congress began the next budget reconciliation process and the future of energy tax credits came into question. Seeing the opportunity in tax credits and the clean energy technologies they make more affordable, schools from across the country came to their defense. Here are some of those key moments.
In March and June 2025, school district leaders and partners traveled to D.C. to speak with their Congressional representatives about the impact of energy tax credits on their schools. Leaders shared case studies to help state leaders learn more about their school facilities projects and the role of energy tax credits.
District Leaders, Partners, and Advocates Taking Action
From left to right: Kevin Bright (Kraus-Anderson), Jeremy Ray (Saco) (back), Kevin Roche (Saco) (front), Chris Howell (Windham-Raymond), Chris McIntyre (Warren), Karl Sonneman (Winona), Chuck Truesdell (Jefferson County Public Schools), Jess Farber (CMTA), Sara Ross (UndauntedK12), Jonathan Klein (UndauntedK12)
School district leaders in Kansas, Minnesota, Maine, and Kentucky told their stories through short videos. These leaders shared about how their schools have been benefitting from projects and upgrades supported by the energy tax credits, and how their repeal would disrupt current and future projects.
On June 27, hundreds of schools that have benefitted from these energy tax credits were referenced in a letter sent by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), member of the Environment and Public Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) to President Trump, Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Thune. They shared how cuts to federal clean energy incentives proposed in the budget reconciliation bill will harm schools and their communities.
On July 4, 2025, the budget reconciliation bill was passed, enacting significant changes to energy tax credits. Despite the bill’s passage, schools still have time to take advantage of tax credits and can plan projects around what remains.
National Stories Featuring Schools Leading on Elective Pay
Community members and media partners can share stories that highlight progress already underway. These stories help show how national policy decisions impact our schools and communities.
Do you have an energy project underway?
There have been significant changes made to tax credits. See here.
Questions? Reach out to us at: info@undauntedk12.org.