LANSING – Schools applying to be “green” would get nothing more than a title and a sense of accomplishment under legislation pending in a Senate committee.

To secure the designation, schools would have to meet 10 of 20 criteria.  For example, if a school recycles paper, reuses magazines and newspapers, and institutes an energy savings program, then three criteria have been met already.

Counties would be responsible for assigning one of their departments to rule on Green School applications.

“We’re trying to educate the students on conserving energy and recycling,” said Rep. Leslie Mortimer, R-Horton, a co-sponsor.  “Providing the hands-on experience in order to learn those kinds of things is important.  There’s different activities that students would get to participate in.”

New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, California and the District of Columbia have instituted green schools programs.

Michigan can always do more to improve recycling she said. “If you start the process when you’re younger, you can take that practice into adulthood.”

The Michigan Environmental Council supports the legislation, policy director James Clift said.

“We think that, because of the comprehensive nature of the bill, it can go a long way towards educating our next generation about energy efficiency and recycling,” Clift said.

One way the bill would promote efficiency is through monitoring energy consumption.  “Students would measure the energy efficiency of the entire building and try to cut that number by 5 percent,” Clift said. 

Rep. John Garfield, R-Rochester Hills, is among those who like the idea but oppose the bill.

“We have a lot of important issues in Michigan, and I think the schools can do this on their own,” Garfield said.

“They don’t need the state government to do this.  I appreciate the thought of it, but is legislation really necessary?”

No additional state funding would be given to a participating school as a reward or incentive under the bill.

“It seems to be teaching kids about the environment and that’s a good thing,” said Justin King executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards.  “But we don’t have to pass a state law to do that.”

If a school’s application is approved, the only recognition would be the title of Green School.

Clift said, “The schools themselves will have a smaller environmental impact, but more valuable there are lessons being taught to the children.”

There would be some financial incentive from implementing these programs because schools would save, he added.

“If they’re paying less for their energy consumption costs, that’s money in the bank,” he said.  “We’d love to see some financial incentive from the state.  But it’s not there right now.  And it wouldn’t have to be much.”

The bill doesn’t stipulate a process for renewing the title, Mortimer said.  Once a school receives the title, it’s theirs to keep.

Mortimer said it is important to provide students the hands-on experience to learn ways to conserve.  The suggested methods include dusting coils on cafeteria refrigerators, placing insulating film on windows, setting water heaters 1 degree lower and seeing how strategically placed plants and trees can save energy for the school.

The other sponsors are Reps. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg, and Edward Gaffney, R-Grosse Point Farms.

“There’s different activities that students would get to participate in,” she said.  “They can set a goal for their school, and then feel good about the accomplishment.”

The bill has passed in the House and has been referred to the Senate’s Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee.