SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Proponents of a plan to put Oregonians to work retrofitting public school buildings with energy efficient technology say the improvements will pay for themselves.
Gov. John Kitzhaber made the idea central to his election campaign last year. On Monday, it got its first review in the Legislature as the House Education Committee held a hearing on three proposals to encourage more energy-efficient schools.
Democratic Rep. Jules Bailey of Portland says schools are long-term investments that aren’t bought and sold like houses and businesses. So, he says, they present a unique opportunity to find cost-effective efficiency ideas.
