Senators Announce $1,273,989 Investment Into Baltimore County's Watershed Public Charter School

BALTIMORE COUNTY - On Thursday, a group of U.S. Senators announced significant funding for enhancing school infrastructure and energy efficiency at Baltimore County's Watershed Public Charter School.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin, and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger announced a $1,273,989 investment into the school from the Department of Energy's Renew America's Schools grant program. Watershed Public Charter School, known for its focus on environmental arts, is among the 24 schools across the U.S. selected to share approximately $178 million in funding through the Renew America's Schools grant.

"Watershed's innovative, environment-centered approach to education fosters in young Marylanders an understanding of how the decisions we make today impact our world in the future," the lawmakers said in a statement. "This federal investment will help ensure that the school's commitment to sustainability is reflected in both its mission and its facilities. These upgrades will not only further its energy efficiency goals and cut emissions but also advance our broader effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create a healthier environment."

The funding will facilitate the enhancement of HVAC and lighting systems at Watershed, alongside the installation of additional solar panels and EV charging stations. The school will thus increase its energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and decrease its carbon footprint, contributing to the student's health, including those with critical conditions like asthma.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Yarbrough lauded the funding as a way to maintain a healthy school environment.

"I am so proud that a Baltimore County school will benefit from this grant program," Yarbrough said. "Our students, staff, and community care deeply about creating and maintaining healthy environments in our schools and in our communities and the larger world. We look forward to seeing the ways that Watershed will be transformed by this grant and what we can learn from their environmental leadership."

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