HARTFORD–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04) announced that Bridgeport Public Schools will receive a $3.62 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s  Renew America’s Schools program to lower energy costs, create healthier and safer learning environments, and promote workforce development. This grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Bridgeport has one of Connecticut’s highest rates of asthma in children, and this $3.6 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the classroom. Not only will it make schools safer, healthier, and more energy efficient, it will also create good-paying union jobs and fund new apprenticeship opportunities,” said Murphy.

“Connecticut children deserve to breathe clean air. This significant federal funding will help Bridgeport upgrade their outdated HVAC systems to create safer, more energy efficient environments for kids to learn and thrive. On top of all that good, this funding will allow Bridgeport to fund clean energy apprenticeship programs for students—doubling the impact of this $3.6 million investment. I am proud to see this funding headed to Bridgeport and I look forward to continued investments to support infrastructure upgrades in our schools,” said Blumenthal. 

“Kids should be able to focus on their classwork without worrying about the quality of air they’re breathing. I am proud to bring funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law home to Connecticut’s Fourth District to improve the health of our children with safer, greener infrastructure in our schools. With this investment, Bridgeport’s education system will become a statewide leader in energy efficiency, with the capabilities to foster a new generation of STEM students through engineering apprenticeship and internship programs,” said Himes.

Two K-12 schools will serve as demonstration sites for all 39 schools in the City of Bridgeport and for thousands nationwide. The schools will receive deep energy retrofits by installing controls and BMS, new condensing boilers, heat pump water heaters, VFD’s, and energy efficient lighting with controls. The schools will also receive retro-commissioning of heating and cooling systems to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality. BPS will install solar and battery systems to lower GHG emissions and electricity costs, and to provide resiliency to these schools that serve disadvantaged communities as emergency shelters. In addition, this project will fund students in apprenticeship programs with scholarships at Connecticut Technical Education and Career System and provide engineering internships for students from Housatonic Community College, a 2-year MSI. K-12 learning modules on energy efficient buildings and technologies will also be prepared for students in Bridgeport Public Schools.

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