Public School Green Rooftop Program

I 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. R. 7693 To establish a grant program to fund the installation of green roof systems on public school buildings, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JULY 20, 2020 Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. SUOZZI, Mrs. HAYES, Ms. NORTON, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. SAN NICOLAS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To establish a grant program to fund the installation of green roof systems on public school buildings, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public School Green 4 Rooftop Program’’. 5 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 6 Congress finds the following: 7 (1) Green roofs on educational facilities can 8 provide an easily accessible site to teach students 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 7693 IH and visitors about biology, math, STEM, art, sus- 1 tainability, green roof technology, and the benefits of 2 green roofs. 3 (2) The Environmental Protection Agency rec- 4 ognizes the installation of green roofs throughout a 5 city can help reduce surface urban heat islands and 6 cool the air. 7 (3) The General Services Administration recog- 8 nizes a typical green roof lasts more than 40 years 9 before requiring replacement, whereas the life of an 10 unvegetated conventional roof could be 10 to 15 11 years. By making the roof membranes last longer, 12 green roofs can save taxpayer money and reduce the 13 amount of waste that is diverted into landfills. 14 (4) The National Park Service recognizes green 15 roofs can improve the energy performance of build- 16 ings, help manage stormwater, reduce airborne emis- 17 sions, and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands. 18 (5) The Food and Agriculture Organization of 19 the United Nations encourages and supports coun- 20 tries to promote school gardens with educational 21 goals to help students, school staff, and families 22 make the connection between growing food and good 23 diets, develop life skills, and increase environmental 24 awareness. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HR 7693 IH (6) Greater weatherization and insulation of- 1 fered by green roof assemblies reduce the amount of 2 energy needed to moderate the temperature of a 3 building, as roofs can be the source of the greatest 4 heat loss in the winter and the hottest temperatures 5 in the summer. 6 (7) A green roof can protect waterproofing 7 membranes from exposure to ultraviolet radiation 8 and wide temperature fluctuations. This protection 9 feature can greatly extend the lifespan and cost ef- 10 fectiveness of waterproofing membranes. 11 (8) Green roofs can contribute to landfill diver- 12 sion by prolonging the life cycle of waterproofing 13 membranes and insulation materials. By increasing 14 the life cycle and reducing roof replacement costs, 15 less roofing materials over the life of the building 16 need to be disposed of. Green roofs generate the 17 need for recycled components in growing media. 18 Green roofs can prolong the service life of heating, 19 ventilation, and HVAC systems through decreased 20 use. 21 (9) Green roofs can reduce the amount of 22 stormwater runoff and also delay the time at which 23 runoff occurs, resulting in decreased stress on sewer 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HR 7693 IH systems and streams at peak flow periods and de- 1 creased pollution in United States waterways. 2 (10) The plants on green roofs can capture air- 3 borne pollutants, atmospheric deposition, and can 4 filter noxious gases, as well as provide habitat for 5 and habitat connectivity for local species of polli- 6 nators. 7 (11) Green roofs can provide much needed ad- 8 ditional greenspaces to urban centers. These 9 greenspaces can create new habitats for a wide vari- 10 ety of plants, animals, and insects needed for 11 healthy biosystems. 12 (12) Green roofs can provide much needed 13 greenspaces for healthy human habitation of dense 14 urban spaces. Green roofs can be used for passive 15 and active recreation and relaxation spaces for hu- 16 mans. 17 (13) Green roofs can generate potential employ- 18 ment for green roof installation and maintenance 19 personnel. Specialized green roof installations can 20 generate income and employment for urban farm op- 21 erations. 22 (14) The temperature moderating effects of 23 green roofs can reduce demand for electrical power 24 and other energy and fuel sources, and potentially 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 5 •HR 7693 IH decrease the amount of CO2 and other polluting by- 1 products being released into the air. 2 (15) Through natural transpiration, plants on 3 vertical and horizontal surfaces are able to cool cities 4 during hot summer months and reduce the urban 5 heat island effect. 6 (16) Green roofs plants can capture dust and 7 particulate matter throughout cities, as well as the 8 production of smog. This can play a role in reducing 9 greenhouse gas emissions and adapting urban areas 10 to a future climate with warmer summers. 11 (17) Green roofs improve human health and 12 wellbeing through improvement of local air quality, 13 regulation of temperature, and sequestration of 14 harmful airborne substances, particularly among 15 children and other vulnerable or at-risk commu- 16 nities. 17 (18) Green roofs on public infrastructure pro- 18 vide cost-savings for the life of the project, through 19 defraying future replacement and energy costs. 20 (19) Green roofs contribute to the stabilization 21 of neighborhoods as a result of improved health, sce- 22 nic qualities, and elevated nearby property valuation. 23 (20) Green roofs provide habitat for wildlife 24 such as pollinators and migratory birds. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 6 •HR 7693 IH SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR PLANNING ASSISTANCE. 1 (a) GRANT PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary, 2 taking into account recommendations from the Director 3 of the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs 4 Office of the Department of Energy, shall make grants 5 to eligible entities to pay the costs of planning assistance 6 for a green roof system described in subsection (b). 7 (b) ALLOWABLE USE OF FUNDS FOR GRANTS FOR 8 PLANNING ASSISTANCE.—An eligible entity receiving a 9 grant under this section shall use the grant for the fol- 10 lowing purposes: 11 (1) Identification of opportunities to use green 12 roofs. 13 (2) Assessment of vertical structures, or pos- 14 sible vertical structures, to support vegetation and 15 ground-level areas that support vegetation in the 16 same school building. 17 (3) Permitting and siting issues, including po- 18 tential synergy of the green roof with green roofs, 19 green walls, and rain gardens in neighboring build- 20 ings. 21 (4) Business planning and financial analysis. 22 (5) Architectural and engineering analysis, in- 23 cluding analysis of— 24 (A) a site to determine required structural 25 loading capacity; 26 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 7 •HR 7693 IH (B) plans for material transportation to 1 roof; 2 (C) the distribution of material and equip- 3 ment during construction; 4 (D) plans for reinforcement of roof; 5 (E) plans for structural safety; 6 (F) plans to increase available loading; 7 (G) plans to determine need and location 8 of vegetation-free zones for access to mechan- 9 ical equipment, roof parapets, and other com- 10 mon roof structures; 11 (H) plans for need for permanent or semi- 12 permanent irrigation systems to provide supple- 13 mental water during times of drought; and 14 (I) plans to determine need for a leak de- 15 tection system. 16 (6) Cost estimation, including— 17 (A) technical information on the cost of 18 construction (market prices, labor, materials, 19 and transportation); 20 (B) a life cycle cost analysis; 21 (C) an estimate of operational costs; and 22 (D) an estimate of costs to include rec- 23 reational space in order to meet the require- 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 8 •HR 7693 IH ments of title III of the Americans with Disabil- 1 ities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). 2 (7) Grant writing services, including reimburse- 3 ment for grant writing services used to obtain a 4 grant under this section. 5 (c) APPLICATION.—To receive a grant under this sec- 6 tion, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 7 application at such time, in such manner, and containing 8 such information as the Secretary may require. 9 SEC. 4. PUBLIC SCHOOL GREEN ROOF INSTALLATION 10 GRANT PROGRAM. 11 (a) PUBLIC SCHOOL GREEN ROOF INSTALLATION 12 PROGRAM.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 13 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall award grants, 14 on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to install an ex- 15 tensive or intensive green roof system. 16 (b) APPLICATION.—To receive a grant under sub- 17 section (a), an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 18 an application at such time, in such manner, and con- 19 taining such information as the Secretary may require, 20 which shall include— 21 (1) a letter of compliance from local regulatory 22 bodies to— 23 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 9 •HR 7693 IH (A) certify a complete review of proposed 1 design to ensure that it meets municipal re- 2 quirements; 3 (B) ensure that installation is carried out 4 in accordance with local standards and incentive 5 program performance requirements (if avail- 6 able); 7 (C) determine requirements for issuing 8 permits; 9 (D) determine occupancy requirements for 10 fire codes; and 11 (E) ensure projects meet the minimum 12 performance standard specified within the Liv- 13 ing Architecture Performance Tool (LAPT) rat- 14 ing system for green roofs and walls; and 15 (2) a complete description of the eligible enti- 16 ty’s plan for the installation and operation of a 17 green roof system, including descriptions of— 18 (A) the hiring criteria and qualifications 19 for green roof installation and maintenance per- 20 sonnel with the inclusion of local workforce 21 trainees, including at least one Green Roof Pro- 22 fessional (GRP) as accredited by the Green 23 Roof Industry Association; 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 10 •HR 7693 IH (B) the methods for the green roof instal- 1 lation and maintenance; 2 (C) a plan for utilization of the green roof, 3 including weatherization, recreational space, 4 education, food production, or whether access 5 and utilization will be extended to members of 6 the neighborhood; 7 (D) a plan for intensive green roof applica- 8 tions that include recreational space use to 9 meet the requirements of title III of the Ameri- 10 cans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 11 12101 et seq.); 12 (E) a strategy for increasing energy effi- 13 ciency and reducing heat reflection; and 14 (F) a plan for hiring low-income individ- 15 uals or individuals registered with a one-stop 16 career center for installation and maintenance 17 positions. 18 (3) the eligible entity’s maintenance plan. 19 (c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under subsection 20 (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities in 21 which not fewer than 30 percent of students served by 22 such entities are from families with incomes below the pov- 23 erty line. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 11 •HR 7693 IH (d) INSTALLATION.—Not later than 4 years after re- 1 ceiving a grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity 2 shall complete installation of a green roof system. 3 (e) MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE.—In addi- 4 tion to receiving a grant under subsection (a), each eligible 5 entity that meets the installation requirements of sub- 6 section (d) shall receive additional funding for an addi- 7 tional 4-year period for maintenance activities, which may 8 include the following: 9 (1) Conducting routine inspections throughout 10 the year to monitor the condition of the green roof 11 and surrounding roof areas and structures, espe- 12 cially after storm events. 13 (2) Monitoring plant health and replacing any 14 plants, as necessary. 15 (3) Noting any areas impacted by rooftop 16 microclimates (including wind erosion, shady spots, 17 exhaust vents, drip edges, and intense reflected 18 light) where replanting may not be successful, and 19 alternate planting types, planting techniques, or an 20 alternate approach may be necessary. 21 (4) Watering nonirrigated systems during pro- 22 longed drought periods and maintenance of any irri- 23 gation system for the green roof. 24 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:52 Aug 09, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H7693.IH H7693 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 12 •HR 7693 IH (5) Addressing weeds and pests when needed 1 using organic, essential-oils based products. 2 (6) For intensive green roofs where more highly 3 diverse plant groups and types are used, ensuring 4 plant maintenance and care is generally consistent 5 with the requirements of ground-level landscaping, 6 including consultation with a horticulturalist, agron- 7 omist, or landscape professional. 8 (7) Engaging local workforce trainees. 9 SEC. 5. REPORT TO THE CONGRESS. 10 Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 11 of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the 12 Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 13 Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 14 Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and make publically 15 available on the internet website of the Department of En- 16 ergy, a report describing— 17 (1) each grant applic [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]