School facilities: Efficiency and Sustainability Projects for Schools Pilot Program.

Existing law expresses legislative findings and declarations that it is in the interest of the state and its residents for the state to aid school districts in finding cost-effective methods of conserving energy in school buildings maintained by school districts. The California Clean Energy Jobs Act, an initiative approved by the voters as Proposition 39 at the November 6, 2012, statewide general election, provided for the transfer of $550,000,000 annually from the General Fund to the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund for 5 fiscal years beginning with the 2013–14 fiscal year. Moneys in the Job Creation Fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of funding eligible projects that create jobs in the state by improving energy efficiency and expanding clean energy generation. Existing law provided for the allocation of available moneys to local educational agencies and community college districts. This bill would establish the Efficiency and Sustainability Projects for Schools Pilot Program to provide funding, upon appropriation, to the Department of Education for allocation to school districts and community college districts for energy efficiency and water conservation projects. The bill would specify that a school district or community college district is eligible for those moneys only if it has applied for or received funding pursuant to the California Clean Energy Jobs Act and does certain things in connection with those energy efficiency projects, including, partners with an institution of higher education to provide energy efficiency project-based learning opportunities for pupils enrolled in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive, or for students enrolled at a community college; leverages private investment; and utilizes state-approved apprenticeship programs and ensures access to those programs for qualified veterans who were honorably discharged.