California Schools Struggling to Stay Cool

Policymakers in California are falling short on their commitments to ensure schools remain cool amid rising temperatures.

Although the CalSHAPE program, initiated in 2020, provided funding for schools to assess their air conditioning systems and assist utility payers with upgrades, many schools have yet to see those benefits.

The California Energy Commission has now shortened the program. By 2024, only 172 out of over 4,500 schools identified as needing upgrades will receive funding for improvements.

Frustration is mounting among schools, as they feel lawmakers haven’t prioritized the well-being of students in California’s scorching heat.

“There are days when the heat is relentless, and some of our older units can’t keep up,” shared Greg Page, an energy management specialist from the Temecula Valley Unified School District. “Our teams are responding to emergencies almost non-stop, even on hot days.”

This district secured $4.6 million in funding for the initial phase of the program, focusing on evaluations, which allowed them to plan renovations for 30 schools. Temecula Valley managed to use some of this money for early upgrades, like fixing HVAC systems and changing air filters and thermostats.

However, they missed the chance to apply for Phase 2 funding, meaning they can’t replace about a third of their outdated heating and cooling systems.

Similarly, the Torrance Unified School District faced difficulties as they couldn’t replace a crucial cooling system after discovering that 300 air conditioning units were non-operational. They, too, missed the application deadline.

“It’s frustrating to have funds that could have been used effectively held back,” remarked Keith Butler, Torrance Unified’s Assistant Superintendent. “It’s a worthwhile investment that was already earmarked. We just wanted to move forward.”

“We’ve done everything we can in terms of quick fixes,” Butler added. “But the reality is, they’re not going to last forever.”

As for why funds were being withdrawn, the Energy Commission cited budget limitations. Yet, an audit uncovered additional reasons.

An investigation conducted by the California Public Utilities Commission highlighted that the Energy Commission’s convoluted funding process was hindering the acceptance of more applications. This system risks missing critical deadlines and could force the commission to return unspent funds to utilities once the program concludes.

Ultimately, the audit recommended that the State Energy Commission find a way to fully utilize the allocated money or that the Legislature pass a bill allowing for refunds to ratepayers.

According to a spokesperson for the commission, Elaine Kahan, “CalSHAPE funding was initially collected by utility companies from ratepayers. If returned, funds could either go directly back to ratepayers or be used to reduce future collections.”

Reports suggest that refunds to ratepayers may only amount to between $2 and $24.

Meanwhile, PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric plan to offer these funds back to customers through bill relief or to offset future increases.

Currently, lawmakers are contemplating the allocation of $70 million in interest from the fund for the Virtual Power Plant Energy Program.

Yet critics argue that this approach overlooks the pressing issue of students suffering in hot classrooms.

“Are we really going to sideline this program due to philosophical debates about funding?” questioned Junell Harris, founder of Clean Air Allies, a nonprofit advocating for air quality in schools. “It feels like poor governance to me. If we have the funds and the program’s effective, why not use the money to boost its success?”

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing a review of the funding for ratepayer-supported programs, suggesting that alternatives to this source might be more appropriate.

CalSHAPE’s future now lies in the hands of Governor Newsom and state legislators. Staff from the state senate have recommended program extension.

Negotiations are expected to persist into August, typically the hottest month in California.

The California Post has sought comment from the governor’s office.