WASHINGTON (AP)
Public school districts in Montana and five other Western states could issue interest-free bonds to pay for renewable energy projects under legislation announced Tuesday by Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. The Renewable Schools Energy Act of 2006 would allow Nevada school districts to issue $90 million in the zero-interest bonds. Arizona and Utah could issue $60 million each, and Montana, Idaho and Colorado could sell $30 million each. School districts would compete for a share of the bond issuing authority. The money could be spent on projects such as solar panels or wind turbines, which could cut utility bills in growing school districts while teaching students about alternative energy sources. “I like this bill a lot because it literally is a win-win for everybody students, taxpayers and the environment,” Reid told reporters. “Nevada school districts, like others in the West, are certainly suffering from high energy prices, and all we have to consider is every dollar that we save on energy is a dollar we can spend” on teachers or other school needs. The bill offers “a great potential for reduction of rising energy costs, but the learning opportunity for students is most important,” said Rose McKinney-James of the Nevada Renewable Energy and Conservation Task Force. Reid introduced his bill Monday. A companion bill was expected to be introduced in the House later this week by Rep. Jim Matheson, Dutah.
