Upgrading oregon's disadvantaged community schools is a comprehensive initiative focused on enhancing energy efficiency and modernizing infrastructure across 11 school retrofit projects statewide

The project aims to improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and indoor air quality (IAQ) for students' health, comfort, and learning while updating outdated infrastructure in schools that serve disadvantaged communities, including those with significant american indian student populations. The objectives include upgrading heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, controls, windows, roofing, insulation, lighting, and electrical systems to high-efficiency standards; implementing renewable energy solutions and advanced energy management systems; addressing critical structural issues; and enhancing safety systems to create safer, healthier learning environments. Budget period 1 (phase 2 - "strategic plan + energy audits") will focus on conducting the american society of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning engineers (ashrae) level 2 energy audits of all the schools/school facilities in the portfolio and on developing a comprehensive strategic plan for implementing energy improvements. By the end of budget period 1, energy audits and the strategic plan should provide a clear pathway to prioritize energy improvements, access private sector funding (if needed) and/or tax credits, and realize high-impact health and safety benefits for budget period 2. Budget period 2 (phase 3 - "implementation") will implement the energy improvements identified at the end of phase 2. Phase 3 should directly advance the measurable goals of energy savings and high-impact health and safety benefits. Expected outcomes of this initiative are a significant reduction in energy consumption and utility costs, improved IAQ and overall comfort, increased safety, modernized facilities with extended lifespans, sustainable and cost-effective school environments, enhanced learning conditions, and better preparedness for future maintenance and energy efficiency challenges through a trained local workforce. The upgrades will provide a scalable model for similar projects nationwide, ensuring the benefits of energy efficiency, sustainability, and improved educational outcomes are extended beyond oregon.