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Several Urban School Districts Awarded Department of Energy Grants

  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools was recently awarded a $15 million 2024 Renew America’s School Prize and Grant from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE). The grant aims to make building upgrades that decrease energy costs and improve indoor air quality in aging schools.

    Miami was one of 16 school districts across the country to receive grants to help school systems make energy upgrades to their buildings, including improving indoor air quality, decreasing energy use and costs, and fostering healthier learning environments.

    Miami-Dade County Public Schools has identified 74 campus buildings at ten Title I schools with high energy needs to participate in the Renew America’s Schools program. The scope of work includes updating lighting and installing air conditioning units that are more energy efficient. According to district officials, the grant will benefit 7,460 students.

    Kansas’ Wichita Public Schools received a $15 million grant that will go toward implementing energy efficiency initiatives such as installing solar panels at 22 school buildings. 

    Virginia’s Richmond Public Schools received a $15 million grant it will use to improve teacher and student health, including overall comfort and indoor air quality for 22 Title I schools.

    Pittsburgh Public Schools received a $15 million grant, along with a neighboring school district, to make improvements at 20 schools, including providing schools with air conditioning.

    Arkansas’ Little Rock School District and Saint Louis Public Schools each received an $11.2 million grant to create healthy, high-quality learning environments at 17 schools.

    In order to be eligible for the grant, school districts had to collaborate with partner organizations, such as consultants, energy service companies, utility companies, and state and local government offices, to identify ten or more school facilities with a compelling need for improvement.

    The DOE named 21 winners who earned $300,000 for their accomplishments in Phase 1 of the grant. The agency then identified 16 of those winners to advance to Phases 2 and 3, inviting them to enter cooperative agreements as selectees for the grants ranging from $7.5 million to $15 million.