The non-profit New Buildings Institute (NBI) works with governments, utilities, energy efficiency advocates and building professionals to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings. NBI is presenting a half-day Zero Net Energy Schools Workshop at the 2014 Green California Schools and Community Colleges Summit as the Summit approaches, Green Technology talks to ZNE Research Director Cathy Higgins about the evolution of this new building type and the prospects for Zero Net Energy school facilities. Click here.

For decades, Dr. Tony Knight of the Oak Park Unified School District has remained focused on implementing curriculum and facility programs that create healthy learning environments and help students gain first-hand knowledge of the power of individual action. The district efforts have set the pace for efforts other schools as in the state as well as the local community. Click here.

Before taking a position with the Office of Public School Construction, Bill Savidge managed school district facilities programs and guided many school boards, oversight groups, and communities through the complexities of the school design and construction processes in California. In a Green Technology interview, he discusses priorities for the next round of efforts to upgrade school facilities. Click here.

As Commander of the Navy Region Southwest, retired Rear Admiral Len Hering developed groundbreaking programs in energy, water and waste management, setting standards that influenced practices throughout the Department of Defense. Now serving as the Executive Director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, he discusses central the central challenges of sustainability and strategies that can ensure the long-term security of finite resources.
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Prop 39 implementation is well underway, and schools throughout the state are benchmarking their energy use and working out the best ways to use the billions of dollars in funding for energy efficiency that are coming over the next five years. Education sessions at the 2014 Green California Schools and Community Colleges Summit will explore Prop 39 best practices, resources, curriculum opportunities and more. Click here.