Architect Magazine: Green Buildings and the Stimulus Package

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" You're looking at $140 billion at least for infrastructure in this

package, " says Will Straw, associate director for economic growth at the Center

for

American Progress in Washington, D.C.

Among the many built-environment highlights in the stimulus:

* $5 billion for a program to weatherize low-income housing

* $4.5 billion to repair federal buildings and increase the use of

green technology and boost energy efficiency

* $6.3 billion for energy-efficiency and conservation grants

* $4 billion for the public housing capital fund to improve energy

efficiency in aging buildings " ...

.... " In fact, no stimulus money is allocated specifically for school

construction projects. The bill sets aside $105.9 billion for investments in

education and training, of which $39.5 billion " can be used for preventing

cutbacks,

preventing layoffs, school modernization, or other purposes, " the bill

states. Schools may also have access to $8.8 billion in funding given to states

for

" high priority needs, " which could include education, and modernization and

renovation of school and higher education facilities.

But the AIA is concerned that with school systems and state and local

governments worried about budget shortfalls and teacher layoffs, any money that

could go to facility modernization will get routed to other needs. "

Sharon

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