Clean Energy Task Force
Seattle Public Schools is forming the Superintendent’s Clean Energy Task Force to help SPSSeattle Public Schools More chart a path to transition the district away from fossil fuel use for operations by 2040, and to transition to 100% carbon-free renewable energy while improving student health and supporting more sustainable and equitable communities. (The task force was identified in Board Resolution 2020/21-18)
SPSSeattle Public Schools More currently uses fossil fuels to heat buildings, prepare food, and power the district’s service, delivery, and transportation vehicles. The Clean Energy Task Force will focus on strategies to identify and replace these fossil fuels with renewable electric energy sources between now and 2040.
SPSSeattle Public Schools More has hired a consultant team to collect and develop information about the carbon impacts of district operations and the opportunities to transition the district away from fossil fuel consumption. This team will provide information about impacts, opportunities and strategies to reduce district carbon impacts, and will support the work of the Task Force. The Task Force will be responsible for reviewing and discussing information and strategies presented by SPSSeattle Public Schools More and the consultants, and providing guidance on the development of a Climate Action Plan for the District to achieve these goals. The final Climate Action Plan will be presented to the School Board in January 2023.
Topics which will likely be discussed by the Task Force include:
- Building performance and operation to identify opportunities reduce energy use and convert facilities to electric fuel.
- Strategies to transition fleet and transportation systems to electric vehicles, and to provide charging infrastructure for these vehicles.
- Strategies to convert food preparation equipment and processes to electricity.
- Role of school facilities in supporting community resiliency in case of emergencies
- Opportunities to incorporate climate science and climate justice into school curriculum.
- Strategies to prioritize racial, economic, and environmental justice into the implementation of these goals.
The Task Force is anticipated to meet monthly for 90-minute sessions using remote meeting tools. Meetings will commence in early November 2021 and continue through January 2023.
The Task Force will include members of local community groups, educators and students, parents, community stakeholdersThose student, families and community groups impacted by proposed policy, program or More, public representatives, clean energy experts, labor partners, tribal representatives, and other relevant professionals.