Interfaith Power & Light Program

1. Interfaith Power & Light Program The Regeneration Project’s

3. Mobilize a religious response to global warming and to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation

4. Outreach * Education *Advocacy • Congregational membership (double in 2006) • Shared resources among IPLs • Regrant Program • Annual meeting • Regular communication (list-serv, conference calls) • Media outreach • Networking and connections • Strategic plan development

5. Success Stories From California to Michigan and Massachusetts to Oregon we are helping congregations save energy, become more energy efficient, use renewable energy and encourage responsible energy policy to protect our Earth.

6. Michigan IPL developed an ambitious pilot project - an online shopping cart that is offering congregational members energy efficient lighting products and appliances at well below retail pricing. At the checkout, the customer gets an estimate of energy savings, dollar savings, emission reductions and the equivalent of trees planted or cars taken off of the road given their purchase. Michigan IPL is tracking the impacts as the congregations report changes. The results so far are reduction of over 6000 tons of CO2, 23 tons of SO2, 11 tons of NOX and 907 lbs. of particulates resulting in a savings of $652,367.  This represents the equivalent of planting 1,271 acres of forest or keeping 807 cars off the road for a year.

7. Shir Hadash Synagogue

8. Solar Power

9. The congregation’s decision to go solar was spurred by support by CA IPL and Rabbi Melanie Aron’s desire to address global warming and to follow the Jewish teaching of Tikkun Olam, to repair the Earth • Shir Hadash spent about 18 months fundraising from their members (including their tenth grade Confirmation Class’ compact fluorescent light bulb sales), researching solar companies, and preparing to install their photovoltaic system. The end result is a beautiful10kW photovoltaic solar array, which will meet about 25% of their energy demands.

10. In order to be more energy efficient, Shir Hadash replaced its heat-absorbing tar and gravel roof with a “cool roof”. This new reflective roof is insulating and also helps to cool the building and thereby reduce energy use. • Other energy changes at the congregation include replacing all hallway lighting fixtures with more energy efficient ballasts. All of these changes add up to significant energy savings.

11. All Saints Episcopal Parish

12. All Saints Episcopal Church in MA installed a new boiler with zoned heating, programmable thermostats, and more efficient lighting • Annual savings of $17,000 • They've used 14 percent of the savings to buy 100 percent renewable energy, further reducing pollutants.

13. Wind Power

14. California IPL • In 2002 CA passed "the Pavley bill" in reference to its sponsor Fran Pavley, a California assemblywoman – which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from trucks and cars by 22 percent by 2012 and 30 percent by 2016. • 160 religious leaders signed an open letter that was published in Sacramento Bee • Legislators heard from congregants and, in some cases, heard the moral argument for protecting clean air from their pastor. • Other states are now working to pass similar legislation

16. Sacramento Bee op-ed

17. Michigan IPL • St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church - 19,000sq. ft. • Energy Audit to develop the “game plan” • Weather stripping, cleaning steam traps, window insulation (also protects against vandalism), thermal curtain (saves energy and keeps people comfortable), replaced lights and exit signs, reflective material on roof

18. Replace boiler, add solar, wind and solar thermal hot water • Replaced appliances with energy star appliances and got discount through MIPL program

19. Investment - $150K • Savings - $20K/year which is a 50% reduction in their energy budget • Boiler alone was $50K but saved $7K year

20. Connecticut IPL has organized consultation for green building projects or conservation upgrades for 22 organizations, including one kosher food store, 20 congregations and the association of non-profit building managers for the state. They have run a Lighten-Up CFL light bulb sale with 30 congregations and sold approximately 3,400 bulbs. Currently, Connecticut IPL has 25 churches and synagogues which have purchased clean energy, including 9 which have run drives to encourage their congregants to become residential customers for clean energy. Two of their congregations have succeeded in encouraging one or more congregants to install solar PV on their roofs. A third congregation is looking into this for their community’s building.

21. International Global Warming Meeting in Montreal December, 2005. (COP 11).

22. “Every mainstream religion understands that God gave us the Earth to cherish and protect, not to wantonly destroy. Global warming is not only a political, scientific, and economic issue, but a spiritual one, too…Faith leaders in Montreal also made it clear that global warming is a moral issue, an issue of justice. Although climate change is largely caused by the rich nations, it is the poor nations that are most vulnerable to its painful effects. Besides being a matter of international justice, climate change involves intergenerational justice, too, for we are borrowing the Earth from our children. What sort of planet will we leave them? “ ~Rev. Margaret Bullit-Jonas