TL/DR –
Sara Ross, an Amherst resident and co-founder of nonprofit UndauntedK12, is informing municipalities that they can reduce clean-energy construction costs for schools by leveraging the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). She shared this information with the local planning committee for a new net-zero elementary school in Amherst, detailing how they could save nearly $4 million. With her organization, she is extending her advocacy across Massachusetts and even at a national level, educating on how the IRA can assist schools in their green energy transition, such as funding for solar panels, energy storage, and electric vehicles.
Amherst Resident Encourages Clean Energy School Construction Savings through Federal Program
Sara Ross, an Amherst resident, is making waves by enlightening municipalities on lower clean-energy school construction costs via a federal program. As a prominent advocate for the new net-zero elementary school building, she highlighted that Amherst could save approximately $4 million through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), says Town Councilor Cathy Schoen.
Schoen mentioned that Ross is spearheading this movement, educating other Massachusetts towns on the benefits of this program. Ross co-founded the nonprofit UndauntedK12, which has nationwide reach. Ross discussed clean-energy incentives in the IRA at a White House panel discussion in April.
Ross has been instrumental in helping school districts nationwide, presenting on IRA incentives at the U.S. Treasury Department and testifying before a Massachusetts legislative committee on a bill championing health, energy, and climate standards for state schools.
Domb commends Ross’s tireless advocacy and her significant impact on promoting clean, green schools. Despite opposition votes against the IRA, Ross is optimistic about its benefits, such as job creation and clean energy for their districts.
Ross emphasizes that the IRA can help school officials with construction costs, transforming tax credits into a cash reimbursement. This funding can cover at least 30% of costs for solar panels, electric vehicles, and energy storage, contributing to long-term planning for school construction.
Ross sees an invaluable role for schools in responding to the climate crisis, pointing out that nationwide, school buildings occupy 8 to 9 billion square feet and we spend $110 billion annually on school infrastructure. In Massachusetts, 1,840 school buildings emit 880,000 metric tons of carbon annually.
According to UndauntedK12’s website, Massachusetts can pave the way for other states in addressing the climate emergency. Amherst aims to receive federal reimbursements post-completion of the new elementary school building in 2026.
Advocating for Clean Energy and Climate Action in Education
Ross, a strong advocate of education and climate action, collaborated with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to host a roundtable presentation on reducing clean-energy construction costs through the IRA.
Ross, an Amherst Regional High School alumna and founder and former CEO of Sungage Financial, is also an advocate for solar affordability. She believes that schools, as the second-largest form of public infrastructure, can play a transformational role in climate change.
Further Reading on UndauntedK12’s Work:
Hey Schools, Get Your IRA Tax Credits (Volts podcast)
Helping America’s Schools Rise to the Challenge of Climate Change (Jonathan Klein, Emerson Collective)
MSBA Roundtable on Clean Energy Tax Credits for Schools (MSBA / YouTube)