Testimony to the IAC on May 11, 2023

Posted on May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

On May 11, we testified to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) on the need to develop regulations as directed by the General Assembly in Maryland Education Code Section 5-319 to require solar installation to be analyzed for new buildings and major renovations. The IAC was very receptive to our comments and even stated they are moving towards net-zero school construction. You can watch the video and read our written statement below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj7EqvjUOAY

Read the comments.

IAC’s response was excellent as well:

“The IAC is moving forward to implement, in coordination with all the other state agencies around the climate change requirements laid out in the recent Climate Solutions Now Act, as well as other statutes recently enacted. We are looking forward to pushing forward with all the LEAs around net-zero of which we are able to support with a 5% state share as well as solar for other projects in school facilities. This is all part of a larger movement forward. The IAC is fully on board with those actions.”

PGCPS Superintendent Search Committee Testimony

Posted on May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

Unfortunately, climate champion and CEO of PGCPS, Dr. Monica Goldson is retiring at the end of the school year. The hiring process is underway for her replacement, and we need to act to make sure the new superintendent will continue her work on implementing the Climate Change Action Plan.

On April 26, County Executive Angela Aslobrooks is hosting a town hall to allow residents to speak on what they want to see in the new superintendent. We spoke out encouraging the hiring committee to ensure that the new superintendent continues Dr. Goldon’s leadership on school climate action and implementing the Climate Change Action Plan.

We also submitted written testimony that you can read here.

Climate Friendly Food Meeting

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

We had a great meeting this week with Director Shorter of Food and Nutrition Services, Pamela Boozer-Strother: Board Member PGCPS District 3, the William Schmidt Center, and several clubs at Eleanor Roosevelt High to discuss ways to have healthier, climate-friendly food in the schools and reduce food waste. There are no easy answers but PGCPS is taking this seriously.

Oh and EHRS has a great student led composting project going too! Go Raiders!

Climate Parents at the Prince George’s County Green Summit

Posted on October 23, 2022January 26, 2023 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

It was a beautiful day to be talking about the PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan at the Prince George’s County DOE Green Summit. We had a great time talking to residents and other organizations about the Climate Change Action Plan. It was exciting to spread the word and success.

Comments to the IAC on the Proposed 14.39.07 Public School Facilities Educational Sufficiency Standards

Posted on October 13, 2022December 11, 2022 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

We collaborated with the Climate Justice Wing to take the lead on submitting comments to the IAC on their Proposed 14.39.07 Public School Facilities Educational Sufficiency Standards (September 9, 2022).

Read the Comments

Comments to the IAC on Climate Goals and Life Cycle Cost Analyses

Posted on July 17, 2022July 18, 2022 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

On July 14, 2022 we testified to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) on the need for the IAC to update their rules and guidance to require school construction decisions to be made in light of full Life Cycle Cost Analyses (LCCAs) and the need to include Maryland’s statutory climate goal of net zero emissions by 2045 in its (LCCAs).

Watch the Testimony:

https://youtu.be/culbMpNwCOA

Read the Written Testimony Here.

Comments to the County Council in Favor of the Climate Action Plan

Posted on July 14, 2022July 17, 2022 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

We submitted two sets of comments to the full Prince George’s County Council urging them to adopt the County Climate Action Plan. This plan is important for our work since the PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan was developed with this plan as a complement to the one developed by the County Council. You can read our comments here.

And the good news is that on July 12th the County Council passed the resolution adopting the Climate Action Plan in response to all of the positive comments submitted by the public.

PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan Story in Hyattsville Life and Times

Posted on June 10, 2022July 2, 2022 by Climate Parents of Prince George's

In the June issue, the Hyattsville Life and Times ran a story on the Climate Change Action Plan and the efforts we undertook to collaborate on the plan and advocate for its adoption.

You can read the story here.