The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated $34 million in Inflation Reduction Act grants awarded to five organizations to help school districts across the country improve indoor air quality (IAQ). EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz recently joined the grantees at Horatio B. Hackett School in Philadelphia to congratulate them on their awards, underscore the importance of IAQ, and highlight previous school efforts.
“EPA is proud to celebrate both the School District of Philadelphia, a leader in school sustainability, as well as the five grantees who will work with districts across the country to keep our students healthy,” said Ortiz.
Jasmine Davenport, EPA senior advisor for climate justice, added, “EPA’s Indoor Air in Schools program stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring every child breathes clean air in their learning environment, advancing environmental justice by prioritizing health equity, and fostering safer, healthier schools for all communities.”
First announced in August, the five grantees include the University of Utah, American Lung Association, New York State Department of Health and Health Research Inc., Go Green Initiative, and U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools.
As part of the celebration, the EPA and the grantees heard from leaders from the School District of Philadelphia on their efforts to date to improve air quality, reduce pollutants, and reduce building costs. District leaders and school staff are already noting better attendance and school performance in buildings that have undergone upgrades.
“We are grateful to the EPA for their investment to improve air quality in schools, like Philadelphia, and across the nation,” said Oz Hill, the school district’s deputy superintendent of operations. “The School District of Philadelphia is strategically working to upgrade HVAC systems and focus on expanding energy-saving initiatives, reducing emissions, and enhancing indoor environments across the district as we work to become the fastest-improving, large urban school district.”
According to the EPA, the five grantees will soon begin their work to monitor and reduce indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at K-12 schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities across the country. To learn more about the grants and the importance of IAQ in schools, click here.