Lamont Proposes School HVAC Upgrade Program

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a new grant program to fund heating, ventilation and cooling upgrades for public school districts.

Lamont included $90 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds in his budget proposal for the grant program. Additional rounds of funding could be invested as needed.

The program would require municipalities to provide matching grants to fund project costs.

"One thing the COVID-19 pandemic exposed is that many school buildings in our state, particularly those that are of a certain age, are in serious need of air quality improvements,” Lamont said. “Some people may erroneously think that heating and cooling systems are only about temperature control, but modernized ventilation systems provide an important public health function that filtrate the air and reduce airborne contaminants."

Eligible projects would include installing, upgrading or repairing air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems.

The state legislature's education committee is considering the legislation.