High Performance Green Schools Planning Grants

Summary

NOTE: Program is no longer offered. 3/21/2017

The Governor's Green Government Council of Pennsylvania provides an incentive for new schools to be built according to green building standards. High Performance Green Schools Planning Grants are designed to cover a portion of the "soft" costs of designing a green building that are not typically included within the conventional design fee structure. Grants may vary in size depending upon the scope of the project, but it appears that typical past awards have been for $25,000. Grants may be used for simulation and modeling costs, including daylighting studies and energy modeling, additional consultancy fees, and costs of documentation required for LEED for Schools certification. The incentive is only for new construction of a LEED Silver, Gold, or Platinum project.

In addition to planning grant opportunities, the Department of Education offers an additional reimbursement to schools that build or renovate to LEED silver or higher, or achieve two or more Globes on the Green Building Initiative Green Globes rating scale. When a school district undertakes a major construction project, the district seeks reimbursement from the Commonwealth through the "Planning and Construction Workbook" (PlanCon) process. This incentive may result in a state funding contribution up to 10% larger than it would have been for a non-rated building.