WASHINGTON -- Nevada public school districts would be eligible for $90 million in zero-interest bonds to pay for renewable energy under a bill introduced this week by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The bonds would be issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the money could be used to purchase solar panels on school roofs as well as geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines, Reid said.

"I think this is a win-win for everybody, including students, taxpayers and the environment," Reid said.

Overall, the bill would provide $300 million in bonds, and the money also would be available to schools in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah.

Arizona and Utah would be eligible for $60 million each in bonds. Colorado, Idaho and Montana would be eligible for $30 million each in bonds.

Reid introduced the bill Monday and has four co-sponsors -- Sens. John Ensign, R-Nev.,; Wayne Allard, R-Colo.; Larry Craig, R-Idaho; and Ken Salazar, D-Colo.

Reid acknowledged there is not much time this year for Congress to pass the bill. But, he said, lawmakers will return to work after the November elections, and if the bill does not pass in 2006, he will try again next year.

Rose McKinney-James, a former chairwoman of the Nevada Renewable Energy and Conservation Task Force, said the bond money would help Nevada schools, which are struggling to keep up with rising energy costs.

Clark County's utility bills are projected to be up by $6 million this year, and Washoe County's utility costs will be $1.5 million more than the previous year, Reid said. He said money saved on energy expenses can be spent on education.

McKinney-James said there's another educational benefit with renewable energy as well. "This will expose students to improved technology," she said, adding that renewable energy sources would be particularly helpful in teaching math and science.