Solar energy, natural lighting and water recovery are among the bright ideas paying off, literally, for Guilford County Schools, and many of the lessons the system has learned will likely soon filter through hallways of other schools in the region, state and nation.  ..."

"Last year the N.C. Senate approved a bill that would require any school built with state funding to exceed the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air conditioning Engineers Inc. (Ashrae) energy use-standards by 30 percent. The bill is still being considered in the state House.

And earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives approved more than $20 billion to be spent during the next five years to help school districts build and renovate schools to be more energy efficient. Under the bill, schools receiving the funding would have to meet the requirements of one of three different green construction programs. Requirements for meeting the standards would be phased in, but by 2013, schools receiving any of the construction funding would need to use 90 percent of the money for green elements. The legislation still needs to be voted on by the Senate, and President Bush has threatened a veto...."