The Sustainable Spot

With the rising belief of the political media that negative attacks are more effective than positive reinforcement, 2012 was definitely a year defined by mudslinging and smear campaigns. And with the bad news piling up on everything from elementary school shootings to the unresolved fiscal cliff, it was nice to find a beacon of hope in my neck of the woods, California.

Back in November, voters in California approved Proposition 39. This measure closed a corporate tax loophole for out-of-state businesses and will dedicate 50% of those revenues for the next 5 years to clean energy projects. This estimated 2.5 billion will be focused on retrofitting existing schools and universities with better insulation, new windows, updates to LED lighting and other energy-efficient efforts for California public schools.

With California ranked 43^rd in the nation for per-pupil spending, this will be a nice step in right direction for California schools. Many of these schools have serious issues such as classrooms that are literally falling apart and poor air quality throughout the facility. With rising classroom sizes reaching 25-31, up 20% from 2010, this was an obvious choice to invest California revenues.

This concentration of funds is not just beneficial for sustainability and the reconstruction of California public schools, it is also bringing an influx of business to the Green School Construction industry.  The California green workforce will be getting a boost once these funds are distributed and projects get the green light.

Right now the plans of construction are in their infancy and funds are still being distributed by legislature but it is nice to know that there are positive changes coming in 2013 in the effort to improve the energy efficiency of California public schools.