(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Life-cycle cost analysis” means to calculate and compare different building designs to identify which is the best investment over the long term. Life-cycle costs include design and construction costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and repair and replacement costs, adjusted for the time value of money;
(b) “Net zero building” means a building in which the amount of energy provided by on-site renewable energy sources is equal to the amount of energy used by the building; and
(c) “Efficient school design” means a school building design:
1. That meets, at a minimum, the requirements of the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for schools at the “Certified” level or certification under a comparable system with equivalent requirements or other building performance certification systems, such as the United States Department of Energy’s Energy Star program;
2. That ensures energy savings from a building design that equates to or exceeds ten percent (10%) over the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers energy standard 90.1-
2007; and
3. For which whole building life-cycle cost analysis illustrates that the design is cost-effective.
(2) The General Assembly hereby finds that schools that are constructed or renovated using efficient school design are proven effective vehicles for accomplishing some or all of the following beneficial public purposes:
(a) Lower operating costs and increased asset value; (b) Reduced waste sent to landfills;
(c) Conservation of energy and water; (d) Reduced storm drainage runoff;
(e) Healthier, safer environments for occupants; (f) Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases; and
(g) Improved student attendance and performance by:
1. Using the building as a teaching tool;
2. Using the local environment as a context for curriculum integration;
3. Providing rigorous, highly relevant, and applied learning; and
4. Improving productivity by making buildings healthier for occupants, especially through the increased use of natural light.
(3) The Kentucky Department of Education and all school districts undertaking the construction of new school buildings or the major renovation of existing school buildings are strongly encouraged to:
(a) Meet or exceed efficient school design standards in planning and designing all new buildings and major renovation projects;
(b) Use life-cycle cost analysis to evaluate different design proposals; and
(c) Consider the possibility that each new school building or major renovation of a building could be a net zero building, either during the construction or renovation, or at a later date as resources become available.
(4) The Department of Education shall develop and adopt guidelines for efficient school design, net zero buildings, and life-cycle cost analysis, including the identification of appropriate computer-based simulation programs for use in undertaking life-cycle cost analysis.
(5) The Department of Education and the Office of Energy Policy shall assist school districts in:
(a) Developing methods for measuring ongoing operating savings resulting from the use of efficient school design;
(b) Identifying sources for training for school staff and students to ensure that efficient school design features and components are fully utilized; and
(c) Identifying ways that efficient school design and its energy-saving components can be integrated into the school curriculum.
Effective: July 14, 2022
History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 66, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2022. — Amended
2018 Ky. Acts ch. 29, sec. 59, effective July 14, 2018. — Created 2010 Ky. Acts ch.
134, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2010.