Americans Support Green Schools, Survey Finds

WASHINGTON — A new, independent, nationwide survey revealed that nearly three out of four Americans support federal investment in school building improvements focused on creating healthier learning environments, saving tax dollars or lowering carbon emissions.

The survey, sponsored by Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies Corp. and the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools, also found that one in three of the 1,000 surveyed said the majority of U.S. schools are in "poor" shape. Only 6 percent said U.S. schools are in "excellent" shape.

Surveys were conducted via telephone between Sept. 23 and Sept. 25 by New York-based GfK Custom Research North America.

"Americans understand the importance of our nation’s school infrastructure and see the urgent need for significant investments," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. "Too many of our schools are outdated, woefully energy inefficient, unhealthy, and negatively affect our children’s ability to learn — and ultimately to compete — in a global marketplace.”

In 2008, the United States deferred an estimated $254 billion in school facility maintenance, he said.

“Inadequate investment into maintaining school infrastructure has led to a significant number of schools in need of major repair and replacement,” Fedrizzi said. “That’s unacceptable."

At least 25,000 U.S. schools are in need of extensive repair and replacement, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

"These survey results demonstrate that the majority of Americans believe that maintaining our existing outdated, inefficient and wasteful school infrastructure simply isn’t good enough — which is why the Center for Green Schools is driving the green schools moment," Fedrizzi said.

The Green Building Council states that on average, green schools save $100,000 per year on operating costs: enough to hire at least one new teacher, buy 200 new computers or purchase 5,000 textbooks. Green schools use 33 percent less energy and 32 percent less water than conventionally constructed schools, which significantly reduces utility costs. If all new U.S. school construction and renovation went green today, the total energy savings alone would be $20 billion over the next 10 years, it says.

"A green school is an energy efficient school — meaning less money is spent on overhead like heating and cooling and more can be spent on keeping teachers in the classroom and getting them the resources they need," said Sandy Diehl, vice president, Integrated Buildings Solutions, United Technologies Corp., and a Center for Green Schools advisory board member.

In a survey of green school administrators, 70 percent reported that green school construction reduced student absenteeism and improved student performance, according to the Council.