Public School Green Rooftop Program
Bill: H.R.1863 | Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. (D-NY)
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Public School Green Rooftop Program
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program for installing and maintaining green roof systems on public elementary and secondary school buildings. Green roof refers to a layer of vegetation that is planted over a waterproofing system or to a waterproof management practice that is installed on a roof and may support plant growth.
Specifically, DOE must award grants to public elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to (1) pay the costs of planning assistance for green roof systems on school buildings (e.g., assessing structures, conducting financial and engineering analyses, and receiving cost estimates), and (2) install green roof systems on these buildings.
Additionally, a grant recipient must complete the installation of a green roof system within four years of receiving the grant. A grant recipient that completes this installation requirement shall receive additional funding for maintenance activities, such as conducting routine inspections to monitor the condition of the green roof.

To establish a grant program to fund the installation of green roof 
      systems on public school buildings, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Public School Green Rooftop 
Program''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Green roofs on educational facilities can provide an 
        easily accessible site to teach students and visitors about 
        biology, math, STEM, art, sustainability, green roof 
        technology, and the benefits of green roofs.
            (2) The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the 
        installation of green roofs throughout a city can help reduce 
        surface urban heat islands and cool the air.
            (3) The General Services Administration recognizes a 
        typical green roof lasts more than 40 years before requiring 
        replacement, whereas the life of an unvegetated conventional 
        roof could be 10 to 15 years. By making the roof membranes last 
        longer, green roofs can save taxpayer money and reduce the 
        amount of waste that is diverted into landfills.
            (4) The National Park Service recognizes green roofs can 
        improve the energy performance of buildings, help manage 
        stormwater, reduce airborne emissions, and mitigate the effects 
        of urban heat islands.
            (5) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 
        Nations encourages and supports countries to promote school 
        gardens with educational goals to help students, school staff, 
        and families make the connection between growing food and good 
        diets, develop life skills, and increase environmental 
        awareness.
            (6) Greater weatherization and insulation offered by green 
        roof assemblies reduce the amount of energy needed to moderate 
        the temperature of a building, as roofs can be the source of 
        the greatest heat loss in the winter and the hottest 
        temperatures in the summer.
            (7) A green roof can protect waterproofing membranes from 
        exposure to ultraviolet radiation and wide temperature 
        fluctuations. This protection feature can greatly extend the 
        lifespan and cost effectiveness of waterproofing membranes.
            (8) Green roofs can contribute to landfill diversion by 
        prolonging the life cycle of waterproofing membranes and 
        insulation materials. By increasing the life cycle and reducing 
        roof replacement costs, less roofing materials over the life of 
        the building need to be disposed of. Green roofs generate the 
        need for recycled components in growing media. Green roofs can 
        prolong the service life of heating, ventilation, and HVAC 
        systems through decreased use.
            (9) Green roofs can reduce the amount of stormwater runoff 
        and also delay the time at which runoff occurs, resulting in 
        decreased stress on sewer systems and streams at peak flow 
        periods and decreased pollution in United States waterways.
            (10) The plants on green roofs can capture airborne 
        pollutants, atmospheric deposition, and can filter noxious 
        gases, as well as provide habitat for and habitat connectivity 
        for local species of pollinators.
            (11) Green roofs can provide much needed additional 
        greenspaces to urban centers. These greenspaces can create new 
        habitats for a wide variety of plants, animals, and insects 
        needed for healthy biosystems.
            (12) Green roofs can provide much needed greenspaces for 
        healthy human habitation of dense urban spaces. Green roofs can 
        be used for passive and active recreation and relaxation spaces 
        for humans.
            (13) Green roofs can generate potential employment for 
        green roof installation and maintenance personnel. Specialized 
        green roof installations can generate income and employment for 
        urban farm operations.
            (14) The temperature moderating effects of green roofs can 
        reduce demand for electrical power and other energy and fuel 
        sources, and potentially decrease the amount of CO<INF>2</INF> 
        and other polluting by-products being released into the air.
            (15) Through natural transpiration, plants on vertical and 
        horizontal surfaces are able to cool cities during hot summer 
        months and reduce the urban heat island effect.
            (16) Green roofs plants can capture dust and particulate 
        matter throughout cities, as well as the production of smog. 
        This can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 
        adapting urban areas to a future climate with warmer summers.
            (17) Green roofs improve human health and wellbeing through 
        improvement of local air quality, regulation of temperature, 
        and sequestration of harmful airborne substances, particularly 
        among children and other vulnerable or at-risk communities.
            (18) Green roofs on public infrastructure provide cost-
        savings for the life of the project, through defraying future 
        replacement and energy costs.
            (19) Green roofs contribute to the stabilization of 
        neighborhoods as a result of improved health, scenic qualities, 
        and elevated nearby property valuation.
            (20) Green roofs provide habitat for wildlife such as 
        pollinators and migratory birds.

SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR PLANNING ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Grant Program Authorized.--The Secretary, taking into account 
recommendations from the Director of the Weatherization and 
Intergovernmental Programs Office of the Department of Energy, shall 
make grants to eligible entities to pay the costs of planning 
assistance for a green roof system described in subsection (b).
    (b) Allowable Use of Funds for Grants for Planning Assistance.--An 
eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the 
grant for the following purposes:
            (1) Identification of opportunities to use green roofs.
            (2) Assessment of vertical structures, or possible vertical 
        structures, to support vegetation and ground-level areas that 
        support vegetation in the same school building.
            (3) Permitting and siting issues, including potential 
        synergy of the green roof with green roofs, green walls, and 
        rain gardens in neighboring buildings.
            (4) Business planning and financial analysis.
            (5) Architectural and engineering analysis, including 
        analysis of--
                    (A) a site to determine required structural loading 
                capacity;
                    (B) plans for material transportation to roof;
                    (C) the distribution of material and equipment 
                during construction;
                    (D) plans for reinforcement of roof;
                    (E) plans for structural safety;
                    (F) plans to increase available loading;
                    (G) plans to determine need and location of 
                vegetation-free zones for access to mechanical 
                equipment, roof parapets, and other common roof 
                structures;
                    (H) plans for need for permanent or semi-permanent 
                irrigation systems to provide supplemental water during 
                times of drought; and
                    (I) plans to determine need for a leak detection 
                system.
            (6) Cost estimation, including--
                    (A) technical information on the cost of 
                construction (market prices, labor, materials, and 
                transportation);
                    (B) a life cycle cost analysis;
                    (C) an estimate of operational costs; and
                    (D) an estimate of costs to include recreational 
                space in order to meet the requirements of title III of 
                the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
                12101 et seq).
            (7) Grant writing services, including reimbursement for 
        grant writing services used to obtain a grant under this 
        section.
    (c) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, an 
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.

SEC. 4. PUBLIC SCHOOL GREEN ROOF INSTALLATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Public School Green Roof Installation Program.--Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to install 
an extensive or intensive green roof system.
    (b) Application.--To receive a grant under subsection (a), an 
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, which shall include--
            (1) a letter of compliance from local regulatory bodies 
        to--
                    (A) certify a complete review of proposed design to 
                ensure that it meets municipal requirements;
                    (B) ensure that installation is carried out in 
                accordance with local standards and incentive program 
                performance requirements (if available);
                    (C) determine requirements for issuing permits;
                    (D) determine occupancy requirements for fire 
                codes; and
                    (E) ensure projects meet the minimum performance 
                standard specified within the Living Architecture 
                Performance Tool (LAPT) rating system for green roofs 
                and walls;
            (2) a complete description of the eligible entity's plans 
        for reinforcement of its roof to withstand a green roof, if 
        needed;
            (3) a complete description of the eligible entity's plan 
        for the installation and operation of a green roof system, 
        including descriptions of--
                    (A) the square footage of the proposed vegetated 
                area and anticipated soil depth;
                    (B) the hiring criteria and qualifications for 
                green roof installation and maintenance personnel with 
                the inclusion of local workforce trainees, including at 
                least one Green Roof Professional (GRP) as accredited 
                by the Green Roof Industry Association;
                    (C) the methods for the green roof installation and 
                maintenance;
                    (D) a plan for utilization of the green roof, 
                including weatherization, recreational space, 
                education, food production, or whether access and 
                utilization will be extended to members of the 
                neighborhood;
                    (E) a plan for intensive green roof applications 
                that include recreational space use to meet the 
                requirements of title III of the Americans with 
                Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq);
                    (F) a strategy for increasing energy efficiency and 
                reducing heat reflection; and
                    (G) a plan for hiring low-income individuals or 
                individuals registered with a one-stop center for 
                installation and maintenance positions; and
            (4) the eligible entity's maintenance plan; and
    (c) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities in which not fewer 
than 30 percent of students served by such entities are from families 
with incomes below the poverty line.
    (d) Installation.--Not later than 4 years after receiving a grant 
under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall complete installation of 
a green roof system.
    (e) Maintenance of Infrastructure.--In addition to receiving a 
grant under subsection (a), each eligible entity that meets the 
installation requirements of subsection (d) shall receive additional 
funding for an additional 4-year period for maintenance activities, 
which may include the following:
            (1) Conducting routine inspections throughout the year to 
        monitor the condition of the green roof and surrounding roof 
        areas and structures, especially after storm events.
            (2) Monitoring plant health and replacing any plants, as 
        necessary.
            (3) Noting any areas impacted by rooftop microclimates 
        (including wind erosion, shady spots, exhaust vents, drip 
        edges, and intense reflected light) where replanting may not be 
        successful, and alternate planting types, planting techniques, 
        or an alternate approach may be necessary.
            (4) Watering nonirrigated systems during prolonged drought 
        periods and maintenance of any irrigation system for the green 
        roof.
            (5) Addressing weeds and pests when needed using organic, 
        essential-oils based products.
            (6) For intensive green roofs where more highly diverse 
        plant groups and types are used, ensuring plant maintenance and 
        care is generally consistent with the requirements of ground-
        level landscaping, including consultation with a 
        horticulturalist, agronomist, or landscape professional.
            (7) Engaging local workforce trainees.

SEC. 5. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Education 
and Labor of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and make publically 
available on the Internet website of the Department of Energy, a report 
describing--
            (1) each grant application received under this Act; and
            (2) any grants awarded under this Act, including--
                    (A) the name and location of the eligible entity;
                    (B) the total amount of the grant;
                    (C) the date on which the grant was awarded;
                    (D) the square footage of vegetated area, soil 
                depth, and soil porosity of media of each public school 
                green roof funded with the grant; and
                    (E) any other data the Secretary determines to be 
                necessary for an evaluation of the benefits of a public 
                school green roof.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), except 
        that such section shall be applied as if the term ``State'', as 
        it appears in such section, had the meaning given such term in 
        this section.
            (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a public elementary school or secondary school;
                    (B) a local educational agency; or
                    (C) a partnership between a nonprofit organization 
                and an entity described in paragraphs (1) or (2).
            (3) Green roof.--The term ``green roof'' means a layer of 
        vegetation planted over a waterproofing system or waterproof 
        management practice that is installed on top of a flat or 
        slightly-sloped roof that may support plant growth, including--
                    (A) an extensive green roof with a growing media 
                layer that is up to 6 inches thick; or
                    (B) an intensive green roof with a growing media 
                layer that is 6.0 to 48 inches thick.
            (4) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (5) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        7801), except that such section shall be applied as if the term 
        ``State'', as it appears in such section, had the meaning given 
        such term in this section.
            (6) Low-income individual.--The term ``low-income 
        individual'' means, with respect to any calendar year, any 
        individual who lives in a household that has a gross income 
        that does not exceed 300 percent of the poverty line.
            (7) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' means an organization described in section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which is exempt 
        from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
            (8) One-stop center.--The term ``one-stop center'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
            (9) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
            (10) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary 
        and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801), except 
        that such section shall be applied as if the term ``State'', as 
        it appears in such section, had the meaning given such term in 
        this section.
            (11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (12) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States 
        and the District of Columbia, each of the territories, and each 
        of the Indian tribes.
            (13) Territory.--The term ``territory'' means the United 
        States Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and 
        the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
            (14) Weatherization.--The term ``weatherization'' means the 
        practice of protecting a building and its interior from the 
        elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, 
        and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and 
        optimize energy efficiency.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Appropriation for Grants for Planning Assistance.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 to carry out section 3 for 
each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
    (b) Appropriation for Green Roof Installation.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated $300,000,000 to award grants under section 4(a) for 
each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
    (c) Appropriation for Maintenance of Infrastructure.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 to provide funds under 
section 4(e) for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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