DC Council Vote is Healthy - and Efficient

On May 4, 2010, DC City Council passed by unanimous vote the Healthy Schools Act, which was introduced by Councilmember Mary M. Che (D-Ward 3) in late April.

The act is widely recognized as a strategy to tackle childhood obesity through healthier school lunches and more school-time exercise.

But the term "healthy" also encompasses a number of environmental initiatives such as school gardens, anti-idling vehicle requirements, and – a favorite of efficiency advocates – district-wide energy reduction targets.

Prior to the bill's passage, Alliance Executive VP of Programs Brian Castelli testified to the DC Council, stressing that the benefits of efficiency measures contribute to the concept of a healthy school, and recommending that DC double their energy reduction targets from 10 percent to 20 percent by 2015.

The Healthy Schools Act will now travel to Mayor Adrian Fenty's desk to be signed into law and then on to Congress for a 30-day period of passive review.

"I am so pleased that the Council approved the Healthy Schools Act today," said Councilmember Cheh. "With the epidemic of childhood obesity in the district – the worst in the nation – this legislation is urgently needed."