NASEO Partners and Projects

  • NASEO partners with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance building energy benchmarking and energy improvements for existing commercial buildings, which include K-12 school facilities. Through the ENERGY STAR program, EPA has compiled a suite of resources ranging from guidance for local governments on potential energy efficiency improvement programs at K-12 schools to treasure hunts for students and administration on energy saving behavioral changes and best practices.  
  • With the support of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, NASEO maintains a map that summarizes programs operated by State and Territory Energy Offices and state or territory-level agency counterparts, focused on data management, governance, planning, assessment, funding and financing, facilities management, standards setting, and STEM education. State and Territory Energy Offices may use this resource to identify program implementation models from other states and cross-agency offerings that support high-performing and energy-efficient K-12 school facilities.

Case Studies and Resources

NASEO Events

NASEO Webinar: Empowering Local Education Agencies – The Role of State and Territory Energy Offices in School Energy Upgrades (November 4, 2024)
This webinar provides an overview of a NASEO report for State and Territory Energy Offices on collaborating with State Education Agencies to support local K-12 school districts on improving facility energy efficiency and indoor air quality. This call also highlighted additional resources on best practices for State Energy Offices on administering existing school energy programs and strengthening cross-agency partnerships to advance energy-efficient and healthy school buildings.

NASEO In-Person Meeting: Improving Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, and Educational Outcomes in School Facilities: Opportunities for State Energy Office Collaboration (August 13-14, 2024)

This event strengthened relationships and identified shared priorities between State Energy Offices, school officials, and education stakeholders, and presented expert perspectives on directing and stretching federal and state investments. The meeting discussions focused on the unprecedented availability of federal and state financial incentives and programs to construct net zero schools, deploy electric school bus fleets, and conduct energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements, all helping modernize and reduce operating costs for school districts across the country.

NASEO Buildings Committee Webinar: Allowable Uses of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for K-12 Schools Retrofits (August 17, 2021)
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided nearly $122 billion to states and schools to support reopening of K-12 schools through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the this ARPA fund brings the total funding allocated to $176 billion in emergency funding for K-12 schools to respond to COVID-19. Since the Act was passed in March, many states have had questions about how the funds can be utilized, and if energy efficiency projects are eligible for funding. During this half day webinar, NASEO partners will provide an update to participating State Energy Offices on the allowable uses of ESSER funding, including through public private partnerships such as Energy Savings Performance Contracts.

Additional Resources