(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law and a champion for energy efficiency initiatives, announced today with fellow bipartisan infrastructure negotiator, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) that the Mascoma Valley Regional School District, SAU 62, is among 25 winners that will receive a $100,000 cash prize to establish, train and support energy managers in their schools. Energy Champions Leading Advancement of Sustainable Schools Prize (Energy CLASS Prize) grants were funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law.
“What an exciting opportunity for Mascoma Valley Regional School District – I offer them my sincerest congratulations for being selected to receive the competitive Energy CLASS Prize,” said Senator Shaheen. “The cash prize will go a long way in helping schools in the Upper Valley support energy managers to lower schools’ energy costs, improve indoor air quality and bolster the district's climate resilience. I’m proud that the bipartisan infrastructure law continues to help Granite State communities invest in sustainable energy projects that will benefit everyone for decades to come.”
“I want to congratulate the Mascoma Valley Regional School District for winning this competitive award that will help strengthen the entire Upper Valley community,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This federal funding -- from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped negotiate and pass into law -- will help schools in the district become more energy efficient, which in turn will help lower energy costs and create healthier learning environments for their students.”
“Congratulations to the Mascoma Valley Regional School District for being selected for an Energy CLASS Prize,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “This funding will support the training of local energy managers to develop plans to lower school energy costs and carbon emissions – a win-win for our students and environment. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this project!”
“By investing in our schools in New Hampshire, we are investing in our children’s education, health, and well-being,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “This award will invest in our workforce and help our schools identify ways to improve indoor air quality, lower energy costs, and create a healthier learning environment. I’ll keep working to bring back funding and resources that better our schools, support our educators, and help our children grow and thrive.”
Each of the 25 winners of the Energy CLASS Prize will receive $100,000 each to train and support energy managers in their schools. The prize money has the potential to benefit more than 700,000 students in 1,300 schools across 19 states. Phase 1 Winners may be eligible for an additional $50,000 based on their performance in Phase 2.
Shaheen and Hassan were lead negotiators of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which provides a $550 billion investment in our nation’s core infrastructure priorities – including roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband. Shaheen has long worked to secure federal investments in clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. In the bipartisan infrastructure law, Shaheen successfully included key provisions of her energy efficiency bill – the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (ESIC) – with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH). She also included the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, the Promoting American Energy Jobs Act and the Heat Efficiency through Applied Technology (HEAT) Act.
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