Michigan leaders are ready to invest in healthy, resilient schools

Across Michigan, educators and community leaders are making real progress to ensure every student learns and thrives in a sustainable, climate-resilient school. This fall, communities approved $2.37 billion in school bonds, many focused on long-overdue infrastructure upgrades. 31 bond projects that were approved this year reference HVAC, heating/cooling, or new construction. These districts have the opportunity to install modern, energy-efficient ground-source heat pumps for affordable heating and cooling – and receive up to 50% of eligible project costs as a cash reimbursement through energy tax credits and Elective Pay.

We can look to Ida Public Schools as a model for how Michigan districts can leverage federal dollars to make high-impact improvements. On October 21st at ASBO International’s Annual Conference, Undaunted presented alongside Ida Public Schools on the district’s work to install a ground-source heat pump to replace 49-year-old boilers at Junior/Senior High School. The district worked with Veregy, a national energy services company specializing in K-12 projects, on the project. With the ability to claim energy tax credits for the ground-source heat pumps, they expect a $3.12M reimbursement check from the IRS. We're energized by projects like this happening across the state and look forward to continuing to support the school districts getting started.