Amend the bill by striking out all of section 1 and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15908-B is enacted to read:
In approving school construction projects, the state board shall ensure that school administrative units have considered heating systems that use renewable, locally sourced wood-based fuels and that benefit the State's economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions in all planning and design for new or substantially renovated schools or school buildings subject to state board approval.
As used in this section, "substantially renovated" has the same meaning as in section 15908-A, subsection 1.’
summary
This amendment clarifies that, in approving school construction projects, the State Board of Education is required to ensure that school administrative units have considered heating systems that use renewable, locally sourced wood-based fuels and that benefit the State’s economy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions in all planning and design for new or substantially renovated schools or school buildings subject to state board approval. The amendment strikes the requirement that the school administrative unit demonstrates a preference for modern wood heating systems.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)