Posts

Posted on

Q & A with Ed Smyth on Congregational Energy Efficiency

EdSmythOur congregation would like to reduce our building’s carbon footprint. How do we do that?

The first step is to get an energy assessment.  This gives you a complete snapshot of all the cost-effective upgrade or replacement strategies that reduce utility bills and greenhouse gases. Energy assessments are available through NYSERDA (the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority). Click here to get more information, or call NYIPL.

What does an energy audit cost?

For small businesses and non-profits (including houses of worship) these assessments are fully paid by NYSERDA, and conducted by specialized engineering firms contracted by NYSERDA.

The funding for these assessments come through a charge in your electric utility bill, called a “System Benefits Charge”.  You’re getting back what you’ve paid for!

We already changed all of our light fixtures to compact fluorescent light bulbs? What else should we be doing?

Most houses of worship spend 55% to 60% of their energy bills on heating. While lighting is important, it’s effective insulation, weatherseal, and weatherproofing that will give the largest benefit to most houses of worship.

We don’t have much money for improvements of this kind. How can we afford it?

NYSERDA offers several low-interest financing options to small businesses and non-profits (including houses of worship) after they participate in an energy assessment and receive the results.  Find out more here.

Can we do these upgrades on historic buildings?

Yes. When the NYSERDA contractor does the walkthrough and assessments, he/she will be looking for strategies on recommendations that fit within the current building – lighting, heating/cooling, insulation, and weathersealing. Typically any work that involves exterior façade or interior changes are beyond the scope of an assessment, and would be cost-prohibitive.

What are some examples of congregations that have already done this?

Many houses of worship have successfully reduced costs and supported creation stewardship by following through with recommendations from an energy assessment.  Visit the EnergySTAR website – www.energystar.gov – and enter “worship” in the search box to find the full stories.

Ed Smyth is a senior manager and consultant for KEMA, (an international consulting firm for the energy industry) and a board member of NYIPL.

Posted on

Earth Day Lobby Day 2013

earthlobby2013Earth Day Lobby Day will be held on April 23rd, 2013. This year’s Earth Day Lobby Day will focus on critically important environmental issues such as expanding solar energy, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, keeping toxic chemicals out of children’s products, and protecting watersheds from the dangers of hydrofracking.

Plan to make the trip to Albany to gather with others who are concerned about climate change, and to meet with legislators to share your concerns.

Meet in Hearing Room C of the Legislative Office Building at 9:30 a.m.

Click here to register.

For more information, call Janna at NYIPL – (315) 692-4929

Posted on

Good News

Two pieces of good news:

  1. On Monday the states that are a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), including New York, agreed to a reduction in the emissions cap, from 141 million tons to 91 million tons. This will reduce the amount of carbon being put into our atmosphere.
  2. On Tuesday the Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Shah said that he needs more time to complete the health review on hydrofracking, effectively keeping the state from rushing a decision.

New York Interfaith Power and Light and many of you have written letters and made phone calls to push for these two things, and our state’s leaders have heard our call. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do!

Posted on

People of Faith Divest from Fossil Fuels

fossilfreeA movement to divest college campuses from fossil fuels is spreading to religious institutions as well. Inspired by 350.org and Bill McKibben’s  article “Global Warming’s Terrifying New Math” in Rolling Stone last summer, the 1.2 million member United Church of Christ will take a vote on this issue at their annual meeting in June.

“The realities of climate change require prophetic and strategic action by people of faith seeking to be faithful to the everlasting covenant God has made with us, with every living creature and with all future generations” reads the summary of the resolution submitted by the Massachusetts Conference UCC. “If fossil fuel companies simply fulfill their purpose the earth will become inhospitable to life as we know it.  This resolution urges all entities of the UCC along with individual members and those affiliated with the UCC to divest from fossil fuel companies.”

Our own member congregation, Congregation Beth Shalom in Clifton Park has already decided to divest from fossil fuels.

If your congregation has also decided to divest from fossil fuels, let us know!

To learn more about this campaign, click here.

Posted on

Lenten Fasts

carbonfastThis is the first week of Lent for Christians. This year, consider a different type of fast. Or, if you don’t observe lent, they are good suggestions and can be used at any time of year.

Carbon Fast

This program is provided by our neighbors in New England – the Massachusetts United Church of Christ. It provides good tips on energy reduction. If you would like to participate, enter your email in the box near the center of their page: www.macucc.org/carbonfast.

Lighten Up for Lent: A Six-Week Challenge

Do you have too much clutter in your house?Are your closets jammed with unused clothing?
Do you have computer monitors you have been meaning to get rid of, but never do?
Are your days filled with mindless activity, yet little gets accomplished?

As we as a congregation prepare to celebrate Easter, we need to prepare our minds and hearts as well. Through prayer and reflection, we clear our mind to focus on the meaning of the Resurrection. To help clear our minds, it is often beneficial to clear our surroundings. “Lighten Up for Lent” calls on you to declutter your home in the spirit of service to others.

Starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, and continuing through Lent, the Christian Education Committee challenges you to remove at least one item from your home each day. Some items would be thrown away or recycled; other items would be donated or sold. If you sell an item, please consider donating the proceeds to the charity or good cause of your choice.

As you free your home from clutter, focus on how you spend your time each day as well. Is there a way to organize your time to spend more of it on family and friends? Could your time be better spent volunteering for community service? Try to strip the inessential uses of your time in order to spend more time on what you consider truly important.

We hope that at the end of the six weeks, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that your donations have been put to good use. We hope that you will not only be rid of unused items in your home, but be rid of clutter in your mind as well, for an open, uncluttered mind is more open to the message of Easter.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6: 19-21.

Posted on

Forward on Climate Rally

Sunday, February 17th, join the largest climate action in the history of the United States. Tens of thousands of people will gather at the National Mall in Washington D.C. at noon on Sunday to protest the Keystone XL Pipeline (see here for our position statement). Please join us! We want to send a loud message to the Obama Administration that he has our support in his efforts to lead the fight against climate change.

Interfaith Power & Light has signed on as a Participating Organization for this rally.  Busses are traveling to the rally from all across the state. Click here for more information on the rally, and to learn about transportation options.

At 11:30 an interfaith contingent will gather outside the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden on the National Mall (between 7th and 9th Streets SW). Look for the New York Interfaith Power and Light banner, and for the large “dove” to help you find us in the crowd.

Posted on

Lenten Resource from Blessed Earth

Blessed Earth‘s 2013 Lenten studies 24/6: A Prescription for a Healthier, Happier Life is now available.

The 24/6 companion DVD curriculum can be watched in one 45-minute sitting or split into four sessions and is accompanied by a discussion guide.

Simply e-mail emma (at) blessedearth (dot) org to request a free copy of the DVD. They can also assist in bulk book orders for your group.

Posted on

NYIPL Calls on Governor Cuomo to Hold off on Fracking

hydrofrackingNew York Interfaith Power & Light (NYIPL), a nonprofit organization of 90 congregations of different faiths, called on the Governor and the Department of Environmental Conservation in a letter Wednesday to prohibit high-volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) until safety and environmental concerns have been addressed.

New York Interfaith Power and Light also issued a new position statement on the issue.

As people of faith concerned with climate change, said Executive Director Janna Stieg Watkins, NYIPL is particularly interested in the methane leaks associated with fracking. “Methane is a potent greenhouse gas” said Stieg Watkins, “and leaking methane is a serious issue.” Numerous other environmental and health hazards are products of fracking, the group noted.

The Vice-Chair of NYIPL’s board, Dr. Patricia Townsend, said “If one applies the precautionary principle to the discussion, it becomes clear that it is inappropriate to open New York to fracking at this time, with the current state of drilling technology and environmental science. “ The precautionary principle states that if a practice has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, that the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those promoting the practice. In this case that would be those entities promoting hydraulic fracturing.

Townsend continued “We support creation stewardship, including intelligent energy use, energy efficiency, and community health. It has become clear that serious questions are yet to be answered about both the health and climate impacts of fracking.”