‘Resolve, To Create a Working Group To Survey Maine Schools on the Costs and Benefits of Contracting for Energy Conservation Improvements’

‘Sec. 1. Department of Education to convene working group. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall convene a working group to study the opportunities and challenges presented to school administrative units with respect to implementing energy savings programs and entering into agreements for energy conservation improvements for public schools in the State. The working group shall conduct a survey of school boards and superintendents in the State and evaluate the costs and benefits of energy savings programs established by school boards, including agreements entered into by school administrative units in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15915. The working group shall request that school boards and superintendents provide copies of school administrative units’ agreements for energy conservation improvements and financial information related to such agreements or other energy savings programs. The working group shall also consider other options available to school boards that can reduce the costs and increase the benefits of energy savings programs and energy conservation improvements; and be it further

Sec. 2. Working group; report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall seek to include in the working group under section 1 state agency officials, school board members, superintendents, school budget managers, energy efficiency specialists and other persons, groups or entities that have an interest in energy savings programs and energy conservation improvements in public schools in the State. The Commissioner of Education shall invite to serve as members of the working group representatives of the following state agencies and educational associations, who are appointed by their respective agencies or associations:

1. The Department of Education;

2. The Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services;

3. The Efficiency Maine Trust;

4. The Maine School Boards Association;

5. The Maine School Superintendents Association; and

6. The Maine Association of School Business Officials.

By January 10, 2014, the Department of Education shall report the findings and recommendations of the working group along with any suggested legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The joint standing committee may submit a bill regarding the subject of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature; and be it further

Sec. 3. Funding. Resolved: That the costs to convene the working group and to conduct the study required pursuant to section 1 must be absorbed within existing budgeted resources of the Department of Education and through the use of federal and private funds received by the Department of Education; the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services; and the Efficiency Maine Trust to carry out the purposes of this resolve.’