Resolution on Retrofitting Seattle Public Schools

October 17, 2024

WHEREAS, Seattle public schools have been disrupted by bursting pipes during extreme cold weather events causing expensive water damage to facilities and major disruption to education via canceled school days.

WHEREAS, Extreme weather events are becoming more common with climate change.

WHEREAS, Bursting pipes during winter freezes are typically caused by improper insulation.

WHEREAS, Proper mechanical insulation prevents pipes from freezing and bursting, significantly lowers energy costs and carbon emissions, and extends the lifetime of mechanical equipment leading to major cost savings and positive environmental impact.

WHEREAS, A mechanical insulation energy audit and regular mechanical insulation inspections will identify what needs to be fixed in order to save energy and money and prevent costly bursting pipes.

WHEREAS, Proper mechanical insulation can pay for itself with reduced energy costs and prolonged lifetimes of mechanical equipment in as little as 6 months.

WHEREAS, The Seattle Public Schools project labor agreement ensures that this work will create good union jobs and quality work.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, MLK labor will lobby Seattle Public Schools to include line items for a mechanical insulation energy audit, regular mechanical insulation inspections and funding for fixing improper mechanical insulation in order to save money through lower utility bills and prevent costly bursting pipes during extreme winter freeze events.