Addressing Indoor Air Quality in School Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Review of Selected State Policies

Energy efficiency upgrades can help school districts advance their educational mission by reducing energy and other operating costs. Protecting and enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ) also supports the core mission of schools by promoting staff and student health, productivity, and attendance. There is now broad recognition that it is possible to achieve both goals as part of an energy improvement project. This report, published by the Environmental Law Institute in January 2016, describes state policy strategies that facilitate early consideration of IAQ best practices in school energy retrofits to help schools avoid unintended, negative consequences and reap the twin benefits of energy savings and a healthier, more productive school environment.