SALEM, Ore. (AP) — One of Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s top environmental and economic priorities will be getting its first review in the Legislature.
The House Education Committee is scheduled to begin working on Kitzhaber’s school weatherization plan on Monday. Kitzhaber wants to put people to work by retrofitting schools and other public buildings with modern energy-efficient technology. Supporters of his plan hope to protect the environment while helping schools save money on their energy costs.
Portland Democrat Jefferson Smith says the long-term goal is to retrofit every public school building in Oregon along with other government buildings. But Smith says this year’s bill would not reach that far.
Critics have questioned whether the energy savings would justify the upfront cost.
