Serrano and Crowley Help Clean up NY Schools

“PCB contamination in our schools is intolerable—and I am glad Congress is acting to do something about it,” said Serrano. “Since Joe Crowley and I heard about this problem, we’ve been working toward a solution, because the place where our children spend their days must be safe. No parent would tolerate a hazardous substance in a child’s bedroom, and similarly, no school or government should tolerate them either. Joe and I are committed to resolving this problem.”

"We have a responsibility to ensure that our children are taught in a healthy school environment,” added Crowley.  “Like asbestos and lead paint, the presence of PCBs in school classrooms is unacceptable.  That is why I teamed up with my good friend Joe Serrano to raise awareness in Congress of this dangerous contaminant and to include the cleanup of PCBs in broader legislation that will keep our schools safe for our children.  A problem this serious demands that the federal government provide some help to state and local governments, and I applaud the House for approving this important provision as part of the Green Schools Act.”

The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act provides critical funding to states and school districts to help ensure that school facilities and learning environments are safe, healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced; the Crowley-Serrano provision makes grants and low-interest loans available to local educational agencies for the removal, abatement, or interim controls of PCBs during the construction, modernization or repair of public schools.  The Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 275-155, and now goes to the Senate for consideration.