Michele Brooks, michele.brooks@sierraclub.org, (508) 816-2977
Boston, MA - Today, Mayor Wu announced a $2 billion plan to overhaul Boston Public School facilities, which includes new construction and renovation projects and district-wide upgrades. The plan will be initiated by a $605 million investment in the FY23 Capital Plan for major new projects, staffing and planning tools to deliver long needed improvements.
The FY23 Capital Plan includes 14 new school construction and major renovation projects, as well as upgrades to athletic facilities. The district-wide capital investments will bring facilities improvements to nearly every BPS community, including energy and water efficiency upgrades, the installation of solar panels, renovations to bathrooms and kitchens, school yard improvements, and the installation of air conditioners and drinking water fountains.
According to the City, the Green New Deal for BPS will accelerate work to decarbonize the City’s building sector, while delivering urgent improvements to environmental health, justice and safety for BPS students, families and educators. School construction, renovation, and retrofit projects will support citywide climate action while also building community resilience to extreme weather events.
In response, Michele Brooks, Boston Lead Organizer, issued the following statement:
“The condition of Boston Public Schools is an environmental justice issue and we are proud to see Mayor Wu following through on her commitment to deliver a Green New Deal for BPS, including 21st century green infrastructure. Given that BPS facilities account for nearly half of City-owned building emissions, these improvements will have a significant impact in reducing emissions while creating cleaner, healthier buildings for students, families and educators to learn, work, and play in.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.