California’s Choice: Cleaner Air for Schools or Money for Utilities

A June 29 article in Canary Media, Inc presented the clear choice that state lawmakers are deciding on: unlock $194 million to fix aging school HVAC systems, or return it to utilities for a few dollars off monthly bills.

The drumbeat to defend the California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) has grown louder. Extreme heat, weather, and wildfires are forcing school closures at a level that was unheard of a decade ago. HVAC systems that provide cooling and air filtration are necessary and provide health, educational, and efficiency benefits that outweigh costs by a factor of 30.

Through CalSHAPE, 4,500 schools across California received funding to assess their HVAC systems and document deficiencies, yet fewer than 4% of those schools received follow-on funding to actually upgrade or repair their equipment.

Releasing $194 million that’s already been set aside to fund these school upgrades – which could help approximately 120,000 California students breathe cleaner, cooler air – should be a no-brainer.

Add your voice to the campaign by urging your representatives and legislative leadership to unfreeze CalSHAPE funds and direct the remaining $194M to schools.