On August 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant, a $190 million investment aimed at improving energy efficiency in K-12 public schools. This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda.
The DOE identified 21 phase-one winners who will receive a $300,000 cash prize for their efforts in building teams and identifying facilities needing improvements. Sixteen of these winners will advance to subsequent phases and enter cooperative agreements with DOE for up to $15 million in awards. These funds will be invested in 320 school facilities across 25 states, directly benefiting over 123,000 students and 9,100 teachers.
"Schools are the centers of our communities," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "With today’s funding, DOE is creating new pathways for districts and partners so thousands of students can learn in safe, sustainable schools."
White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized the broader impact: "These grants will go a long way toward upgrading our nation’s classrooms with innovative solutions...and they will create good paying union jobs at the same time."
The selected entities include partnerships with over 100 organizations such as local educational agencies (LEAs), consultants, energy service companies, utility companies, state and local government offices, financing partners, labor unions, and federally funded research centers.
Prize & Cooperative Agreement Selectees:
- Alaska Municipal League & 3 LEAs (AK)
- Canton City School District (OH)
- Charter Schools Development Corporation & 13 LEAs (AZ, GA, IN, MI, MN, MO, NM, NY NV OH)
- Irvington Public Schools (NJ)
- Little Rock School District (AR)
- Lowell Public Schools (MA)
- Marion County School District (SC)
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools (FL)
- Omni Energy Partners LLC & 9 LEAs (IL)
- Oregon Department of Education & 7 LEAs (OR)
- Pittsburgh Public Schools & 1 LEA (PA)
- Raza Development Fund Inc &11 LEAs(AZ CA MN NM TX NY WA)
-Richmond Public Schools(VA)
-Rockingham County Schools(NC)
-Saint Louis Public Schools(MO)
-Wichita Public Schools(KS)
Prize Winners:
-Broward County Public Schools(FL)
-Chicago Public Schools(IL)
-Hoke County Schools(NC)
-School District of Philadelphia(PA)
-West Kentucky Educational Cooperative(KY)
The funding supports projects like new HVAC systems; building envelope and lighting upgrades; alternative fuel vehicles; infrastructure; and renewable energy technologies. The initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative to ensure benefits flow to disadvantaged communities.
Since its inception as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in April 2022 under the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Building Better School Infrastructure program has aimed to make schools more energy-efficient while fostering healthier learning environments.
For more information on winners and selectees or future funding opportunities visit [Renew America’s Schools Program page](https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/renew-americas-schools).
###
