U.S. President Donald Trump has put the brakes on green energy policy, putting the renewable energy transition projects that public schools in the United States have been pursuing in jeopardy. From the outset of the Trump administration, signals were sent about the repeal or substantial reduction of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of former President Joe Biden, with movements to drastically cut related budgets.
On Dec. 12 (local time), The Washington Post reported that these policy changes are increasing anxiety among public schools nationwide that are either promoting or planning the adoption of renewable energy.
Previously, former President Biden supported the replacement of renewable energy-based infrastructure by providing tax rebate incentives to nonprofit public schools through the IRA in 2022, including the installation of geothermal heating and cooling systems and Taeyang solar panels. In several states, including Colorado and Kentucky, tens of thousands of dollars in heating costs were saved annually, and the saved budget was invested in expanding the teaching staff and improving educational environments.
For instance, a school in New Bedford, Massachusetts, has introduced geothermal heating and cooling systems and solar equipment in its newly constructed elementary school building this month, installing solar panels on the building's roof and parking lot. This replaced existing fossil fuel boilers, allowing for savings of about $300,000 (approximately 423.5 million won) in heating costs. Barry Rabinovitch, the facility supervisor, explained, "(The geothermal and Taeyang systems) are the most affordable and environmentally friendly choices."
The geothermal system uses a constant underground temperature to regulate heating and cooling, which can be implemented by installing pipes connected to heat pumps underground. Water and antifreeze circulate inside the pipes, cooling or transferring heat to the building according to the temperature to adjust the temperature. Although the initial expense is higher than conventional fossil fuel boilers or air conditioning systems, its strengths lie in high energy efficiency and low maintenance costs.
Public schools could receive federal tax deductions through the IRA, and schools that could not deduct taxes directly could benefit through direct payment methods. According to The Washington Post, education districts in Utah, Kentucky, and Missouri are currently undergoing geothermal-based new construction or remodeling projects.
However, as President Trump suggests the reduction or abolition of the IRA system, the renewable energy transition plans are hitting a snag. The conservative camp and opponents of renewable energy argue that related tax deductions represent a waste of budget. Diana Furchtgott-Roth, director at the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, argued, "If geothermal energy is truly a good business, it should be invested in without subsidies."
As a result, many new renewable energy facility plans are being postponed or canceled. The Saco School District in eastern Maine designed a new campus for four schools based on geothermal heating and cooling, but it is facing a crisis where it would have to overhaul the design if federal tax deductions are abolished. An official from the school district emphasized, "Geothermal technology is a sufficiently reasonable investment considering the learning environment for students," while noting, "The institutional uncertainty poses a significant burden on the field."
Experts are concerned that due to overlapping financial pressures and political uncertainties, education districts may revert to fossil fuel-based heating and cooling systems. Some regions are seeking their own measures; however, predictions indicate that if institutional support at the federal level is unstable, the long-term transition to renewable energy will be challenging.
Anisa Hemming, director of the Green Schools Center under the U.S. Green Building Council, warned, "Without government support, initial expenses may be low, but fossil fuel heating and cooling facilities that incur more operating expenses will inevitably gain popularity."