Lowell Public Schools to receive up to $15M for heating, cooling upgrades in 23 buildings

LOWELL — Lowell Public Schools was named as a recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant program, unlocking $15 million in funding to improve energy infrastructure in 23 district buildings.

LPS will receive $300,000 in a cash prize from the award while entering into a cooperative agreement for up to $15 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Many of Lowell’s schools suffer from poor cooling options that leave classrooms too hot at times, which has led to school closures due to extreme heat, as well as leaking, frozen and burst pipes during the winter.

Lowell Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner said making classrooms more welcoming and comfortable to work in for students, teachers and staff has been a priority of the city and school district.

“We are excited about and grateful for this grant reward from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools Program and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, an impactful federal investment which will allow us to make much-needed repairs and upgrades to our school buildings, while also saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint,” said Skinner. “We are thankful for the advocacy of Congresswoman Trahan, and Senators Warren and Markey that helped make this initiative a reality.”

U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan called the investment “long, long overdue.”

“Students learn best when they’re in the classroom, and that can’t happen if extreme heat or a burst pipe force schools to close,” said Trahan. “As a Lowell Public Schools graduate, I know this significant federal investment in upgrading our school buildings is long, long overdue. That’s why I’m proud of my vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which created this opportunity, and of our work with Senators Warren and Markey, Superintendent Skinner, Mayor Rourke, and City Manager Golden to compete for and win this funding.”

City Manager Tom Golden said the recognition and funding for Lowell’s schools represents “incredible support,” that will enhance school facilities and make for a better learning environment.

“We are deeply grateful for the support from Congresswoman Trahan, Senators Warren and Markey, and all our partners as we move forward with these critical improvements,” said Golden. “The work of the entire City Administration, specifically DPW Commissioner Paul St. Cyr and Deputy Commissioner Katherine Moses from the DPW Sustainability Division, which was recently created by the Lowell City Council, is already paying dividends to the students and taxpayers of Lowell. As a recipient of phase 1 funding, the City is further eligible for up to $15 million in additional funding for Lowell’s schools.”

Golden said the only schools not being included in the funding are Lowell High School, due to ongoing renovations to the building, and the Cardinal O’Connell Early Learning Center, because pre-K schools were not eligible. Phase 2 of the grant funding will involve a level 2 energy audit for all of the other schools, while phase 3 will implement specific projects based on the findings from those audits.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said “Students in Lowell deserve a safe environment to live in.”

“This funding is powerfully important to protect our students and upgrade our schools to take on the worst of the climate crisis,” said Warren.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said in response to the award that regardless of zip code, every student in America “should learn in a safe and healthy environment, one that is contributing to a more sustainable planet for the next generation.”

“I’m proud that Lowell Public Schools is leading the way to invest in energy efficiency and climate resiliency, so that students and school staff can keep learning safely and comfortably even during extreme temperatures,” said Markey. “I am grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, Senator Warren, Congresswoman Trahan, and Lowell city officials for their efforts to provide this funding. We need to invest in schools what schools invest in us.”

Trahan, Warren and Markey were each among those in Congress who supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law the grant funding comes from.