Bill > HB2222

This bill establishes an Energy Efficient Schools Program to promote and support energy efficiency initiatives for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. The bill expands the state energy conservation office's role by adding new responsibilities, including administering programs established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and implementing a revolving loan program that now includes open-enrollment charter schools. The new program will provide grants, partnerships, and loans to support projects such as acquiring electric school buses and charging stations, installing solar panels on school campuses, and developing electricity storage solutions. Specifically, the program allows for projects that include purchasing electric buses, installing solar panels, and creating electricity storage systems that can store energy in buses or from solar generation. The energy office will supervise the program, with a goal of improving energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and potentially lowering long-term energy costs for schools. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving schools and the state energy office time to prepare for implementation.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2222