By Melissa Farr, Senior Distributed Organizer, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter
At Steelton-Highspire School District, school leaders are not shy about their passion for serving students. Mark ‘JJ’ Carnes, District Business Manager, infuses any conversation about his work with a drumbeat message of doing “what is best for the students.” For these dedicated educators, having their district become a clean energy innovator went hand in hand with that mission. Steelton-Highspire boasts a 1.7MW solar array that provides 100% of its electric needs. The district also fully transitioned its school bus fleet to electric with the support of a Clean School Bus Program grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In fact, they are the first and only school district in the state to be 100% solar-powered with an 100% electric school bus fleet. In addition to their clean energy bona fides, Steelton-Highspire hosts an aquaponics research greenhouse through a partnership with Harrisburg University.
1.7MW solar array built on a brownfield at Steelton-Highspire School District
Credit: Melissa Farr
Steelton-Highspire is an example of a school district placing students over politics, of leaders saying YES to the opportunities that are available to every district in Pennsylvania. The district achieved its clean energy transition without having any special privileges or advantages. Steelton is literally a steel town, home of the United States’ first steel company. It’s a small district south of Harrisburg, educating approximately 1,350 students, 95% of whom live in economically disadvantaged households. The district operates with an $11.7 million deficit. But through the strength and commitment of its leaders, these economic circumstances were not reasons to look away from innovative clean energy solutions, but rather serve as catalysts for creativity. As a result of building their solar array, they’re expected to save $2 million over the next two decades!
Caption: Steelton-Highspire’s electric school buses charging during the school day
Credit: Melissa Farr
Steelton-Highspire’s leaders are not shy about their accomplishments and welcome discussions with other school leaders who want to learn how to harness clean energy funding opportunities for their districts. In August, Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter staff toured the Steelton-Highspire facilities and learned about the process of becoming a clean energy leader along with other members of the PA Climate Network. Being on the ground at Steelton-Highspire made it clear that every district can act now to save on their energy bills, clean up the air their students breathe, and introduce the next generation of learners to new technologies and industries. Right now, there are multiple funding streams available from the state and federal governments to support clean energy progress. In fact, the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program recently opened another round of rebates with an application deadline of January 9, 2025.
Sierra Club Pennsylvania staff enjoy a tour of Steelton Highspire’s facilities
Credit: Melissa Farr
Feeling inspired? We need you to get involved! Sierra Club Pennsylvania’s Clean Communities Project seeks to educate school leaders and encourage them to take advantage of these funding programs. It is going to take a dedicated effort from volunteers throughout the state to get this information into the hands of all 500 school districts, so that every student has the opportunity to learn in a clean-energy powered classroom and arrive at school on an electric bus. The Clean Communities Project makes it easy to get engaged, providing a sample letter that can be sent to your school leaders. The letter lists available funding programs, as well as avenues of support. Sign up to get involved with the Clean Communities Project.
To learn more about the funding programs and hear a presentation from Steelton-Highspire’s Mark ‘JJ’ Carnes and Superintendent Dr. Mick Iskric, Jr., check out our “Back to School with Clean Energy” webinar. Additionally, you can connect LIVE with school leaders who have harnessed funding for clean school buses at an upcoming webinar on November 13th, co-hosted by Sierra Club PA, Community Advocates for Clean Energy, and Generation180. This is an excellent opportunity for school leaders to hear from their peers, so we recommend promoting the webinar to your district! Register for the Electric School Bus Funding webinar.
Remember, you don’t need to be an expert to have an impact - just follow JJ’s advice and do “what is best for the students.”
Learn about electric school bus funding
Credit: Melissa Farr
This blog was included as part of the November 2024 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!