 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Mission and Vision – Oregon Interfaith Power & Light
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) engages the faith community to strive for accountability in our individual and collective energy decisions in an interdependent world.
Our vision is a rich, abundant life for all creation rooted in renewable resources for a society moving into a post-fossil fuel era.
The principles guiding our vision include justice, equality, compassion and respect for the sacredness of Earth.
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light realizes its vision through:
• Compelling models of low-carbon facilities and lifestyles.
• Workshops on energy efficiency and conservation for congregations.
• Grassroots advocacy for global warming solutions, policies and initiatives.
• A cool congregation program to reduce carbon footprints.
• A solar congregation and renewable energy program.
• Opportunities for theological and spiritual reflection.
Thanks to our supporters!
• Oregon Department of Energy
• Energy Trust of Oregon
• Portland General Electric
• Northern Illumination Company
• Pinnacle Architecture Inc.
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) engages the faith community to strive for accountability in our individual and collective energy decisions in an interdependent world (see full mission and vision statement in left column). OIPL offers educational and consulting services, resources and information regarding energy stewardship, a solar congregations program and the Energy Stewardship Covenant. Sign up for renewable energy today to support OIPL. Borrow an educational DVD or video for your congregation. Order a book to benefit OIPL. Be inspired by stories!Upcoming OIPL Workshops
May 29, June 5, June 11 and June 17. More details.Religious Leaders Give Voice to Care of Creation—Faith Message Contest— Deadline May 20
If you gave an Earth Day spoken message that is also in written form, please consider submitting it to Oregon Interfaith Power & Light’s First Ever Earth Day Faith Message Contest. If you are thinking of giving such a sermon, homily, etc., we hope this contest will give you the encouragement. Just e-mail it to oipl@emoregon.org with your name and date given. We want to celebrate and recognize our great clergy and lay leaders from all faith backgrounds, Evangelical, Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, etc. View the guidelines and the earth-friendly awards given.Examples of sermons with the earth in mind:
"Our Power Bill Is a Moral Document," by John Pitney
"Earth Day Preaching," by Ken Ward Grist
Sermon by Leah SchadePublic Policy Faith into Action Opportunties
Get Involved in the Western Climate Initiative to Promote Just Climate Solutions
Too much is at stake to wait for national action on global warming. That’s why the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) was launched in February 2007 by the governors of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington to develop regional strategies to address climate change through collaboration. Oregon Interfaith Power and Light is one of the lead faith-based organizations that is monitoring and providing input into the WCI’s processes along with IPL’s in other western states. We will be presenting the People for Faith for Climate Justice petition at a public forum at the end of May. OIPL will also be providing a workshops emphasizing the social justice aspects of a proposed market-based design for reducing carbon emissions on June 5 and September 25, 2008. These workshops will prepare faith leaders to provide input into the design and legislative follow-up in 2009. By August 2008, the Partners will also complete the design of a market-based mechanism to help a carbon set in 2007. More information.
- Fact sheet on WCI.
- Why is the faith community involved in WCI? Why should we care? See our fact sheet.
- Distribute and Sign the “People of Faith for Climate Justice, Petition – First and most important deadline, May 15, Second Deadline, July 31.
- Endorse the WCI Principles Letter (for clergy and lay leaders). First and most important deadline, May 15, Second Deadline, July 31. You will be joining leaders from diverse walks of life throughout the West States in endorsing these basic principles for a strong regional system to reduce global warming pollution.
Governor’s Office Provides Leadership on Global Warming
New! Check out the Final report of the Governor’s Climate Integration Group. The report features recommendations for the Governor, the new Global Warming Commission, the Oregon Legislature and state agencies. The Climate Change Integration Group (CCIG) was appointed by Governor Ted Kulongkoski to develop a framework for making intelligent and well informed decisions to minimize the adverse impacts of changing weather patterns to our lives while creating economic opportunity. EMO’s Environmental Ministries director, Jenny Holmes served on this committee. More information on the CCIG. For more information on the State Global Warming Commission. Interested in a discussion on what a changing climate means for ministry in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest? Call Jenny at (503) 221-1054, ext. 214.Support Strong National Climate Legislation
The Lieberman-Warner Safe Climate Act will be debated and voted on in Congress in June of 2008. It represents an important step forward, but needs to be strengthened. Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and its OIPL steering committee concur with ethical principles and policy recommendations of “Religious Agenda on Poverty and Global Climate Change,” Oregon Interfaith Power and Light. We encourage you to write to Oregon’s Congressional Delegation to urge them to strengthen the Safe Climate Act and to share why, as a person of faith, you believe global warming is a moral issue. Summary of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.Key Global Warming Science Links
View.Prayers for the Earth for OIPL's January 19, 2008, "Interfaith Service for Climate Justice"
I pray for a day when rivers are clean and clear, when the air is fresh and rain washed, when the earth brings forth its fruit in abundance, and all faces smile in gratitude for goodness and beauty of all that is.I pray for the bravery to speak as the prophets of old and love the people and the earth to sacrifice and live simply and influence my neighbors to join together in saving the earth.
News from IPLs!
Find out what other IPLs are doing throughout the nation.
“ShopIPL” for Energy Efficient Products
Looking for great prices on high-quality, energy efficient products like light bulbs and thermostats for your home or house of worship?
Visit ShopIPL.org, the new online energy-efficiency store for congregations and their members. Oregon Interfaith Power & Light is one of 26 state “IPL” organizations that are collaborating to bring energy efficiency and emissions reductions to congregations across the country.
ShopIPL.org works like the fair trade coffee programs that many congregations participate in already. Your congregation can buy products like compact fluorescent light bulbs in bulk, members can order products for their own homes and businesses through the congregation, and youth groups or other groups can sell energy efficient products for fundraisers. Individuals also can purchase directly from the Web site.
ShopIPL.org is an especially good resource for consumers who are new to the idea of energy efficiency. The site includes detailed descriptions of products and explains how they save energy.
Congregations and their members who purchase from the site can receive substantial discounts. After creating a new customer account at "Log in," just enter the discount code "ShopIPL." You will get a 10 percent discount when you sign up under your congregation in the drop down menu. If your congregation is not listed, have it added by sending an e-mail to crolling@emoregon.org or order under Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. A portion of the proceeds from ShopIPL.org support Oregon Interfaith Power & Light's education programs.Resources
Wanting to improving lighting and office equipment efficiency in your congregation or business? PGE provides helpful resource that makes improving efficiency simple. Visit PGE's Technology page .
Looking for ideas for improving efficiency in your home? Visit PGE's Home Solutions page.Raise Funds and Educate with OIPL’s CFL Fundraiser
Looking for a way to help pay for a youth group field trip? How about a way to purchase energy-efficient light bulbs for your congregation? Try the OIPL CLF Fundraiser! It is available to congregations in all parts of Oregon, no matter who provides your electricity. The fundraiser includes several water saving items in addition to a diverse selection of CLF blubs. The products are highest quality from ShopIPL.org.To get started, send an e-mail to oipl@emoregon.org. We will e-mail you a fundraiser packet that will include instructions, order forms, a product list and a bulletin insert to promote your fundraiser. You can customize the forms to fit your particular needs.
You’ll need a coordinator (“Team Captain”) to collect all the orders and submit them to OIPL. Write a check to OIPL for the total wholesale cost (listed on the Team Captain order form) and keep the additional money for your congregation. We’ll pay for the shipping! Orders will be filled in within two weeks
Be a Part of the Solution to Global Warming
Wondering what you can do to help in the fight against global warming? Go on a Low Carbon Diet!This “30 Day Program to Lose 5,000 lbs” is a fun, accessible, easy to use guide that will show you, step-by-step, how to dramatically reduce your CO2 output in just a month’s time. Grounded in over two decades of environmental behavior change research, this illustrated workbook offers much more than a list of eco-friendly actions. It walks you through every step of the process, from calculating your current CO2 “footprint” to tracking your progress. It’s a great resource for small groups in congregations that want to undertake an action-oriented program.
By making simple changes to actions you take every day, you’ll learn how to reduce your annual household CO2 output by at least 15 percent. The project was piloted in Portland, Ore. If you purchase a copy of the Low Carbon Diet from our Web site, the Oregon Interfaith Power and Light Web site, we will get $3.00 for every copy purchased. Go on a Low Carbon Diet today and join the growing number of Americans who have decided to take global warming into their own hands.
Energy Trust CFL Fundraiser
The Energy Trust of Oregon’s Change a Light, Change the World CFL Fundraiser is a great way to promote conservation ethics for your congregation, school and organization while raising money! By participating in the Change a Light, Change the World fundraiser, your organization will sell energy efficient, ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Organizations earn a 50 percent profit on every bulb sold. What’s more, organizations can now earn a bonus of up to $1,000, based upon sales. This program is available only to congregations, schools and organizations that purchase their electricity from PGE and Pacific Power. Please use OIPL’s CLF Fundraiser described above if you are outside of PGE and Pacific Power territory.Why Buy CFLs?
- CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last as much as 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.
- CFLs sold through the fundraiser save, on average, $30 or more in energy costs over the life of the bulb when replacing a standard incandescent bulb.
- CFLs come in a variety of colors, sizes and styles; they are safer than standard incandescent bulbs; and they help fight global warming.
As a participating organization, you will receive all the materials you need to make your fundraiser a success, including:
- Easy-to-use order forms. Each order form contains benefits of CFLs and pricing information.
- Marketing materials such as newsletter copy, CFL facts, posters, sample bulbs and form letters for parents.
- Assistance throughout the process to help you achieve your fundraising goals.
How do we sign up?
To sign up for the Change a Light, Change the World fundraiser, simply fax back a sign-up form. If you just have questions and would like to learn more, you can fax back a form and an Energy Trust staff member will call you. You can also get additional information by calling 1-866-368-7878.Congregation CFL Fundraiser Success Stories
A small congregation in Madras sold 192 CFLs through the Energy Trust program in two weeks—meeting and exceeding its goal of selling two bulbs for each congregation member. See the story “Church selling energy-saving light bulbs as fundraiser, awareness-builder."CFL's and the Environment
The environmental benefits of using CFL’s are tremendous. It is important, however, to dispose of CFL’s properly ensuring containment of the trace levels of mercury held within. For more information on mercury and CFL’s please review the following documents:Energy Trust – CFL products and disposal
ENERGY STAR - Mercury and CFL disposal
Oregon DEQ Fact Sheet: Free Mercury Collections for Schools and Small Businesses
Oregon DEQ Fact Sheet: DEQ’s Mercury Reduction Strategy
Oregon DEQ Fact Sheet: Common Products Containing MercuryConsider having a monthly or quarterly collection of CFLs at your congregation. To see how one congregation did, please see the Temple Havurah Shalom case study.
"The future belongs to those who give the next generation reasons to hope."
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
An Environmentally Friendly Auto club!There are now many choices you can make about a variety of products and services that benefit the environment. Better World Travel is an example of an Oregon company that is providing a positive alternative to AAA. It is a socially responsible auto club providing 24-hour nationwide roadside assistance, travel and insurance services. Please sign up using the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Promotional Code ECMN2121, which will enable a $5 donation to help our global warming work.
Drive Less/Save More Campaign
Beat high gas prices and save time on the road with Oregon's and SW Washington's only one-stop-shop for driving tips and resources. Plus, get all the information you'll need to take advantage of the region's many travel options. DriveLessSaveMore.com offers great resources on travel savvy practices like trip chaining, or combining your personal errands, and using travel options like public transit, carpooling, biking, walking and more. Reducing your single-person car trips can not only save you money on gas, but you'll also have more time to do the things you really want to do. Driving less really does save you more! Learn more at www.drivelesssavemore.com.Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Consultation Services for CongregationsOregon Interfaith Power and Light (OIPL) is pleased to provide energy conservation and solar consultation services to assist congregations in meeting their energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. OIPL’s energy consultant offers personalized service with an understanding of the special needs, issues and concerns of communities of faith and the facilities that they use. OIPL’s services compliment and enhance services available from your utility or other sources at no cost. We desire to assist congregations make the best use of their resources.
OIPL’s energy consultant is Doug Boleyn, P.E. Doug has over 30 years experience in energy conservation and renewable energy, including work for Portland General Electric and Bonneville Power Administration. He has been active in renewable energy since 1974 when he built his solar home in Gladstone, Oregon. He serves on the board of Solar Oregon and on the renewable advisory committee of the Energy Trust of Oregon.
There are three main services listed below. OIPL can also make up a special package of services tailored to your unique needs. Congregations that have taken Oregon Interfaith Power and Light’s Energy Stewardship Covenant receive discounts on all services. Fees given below are 20 to 50 percent below the market rate.
- One-hour Consultation -- This service is good for assisting a planning or building committee in thinking through a course of action to improve any aspect of energy efficiency in your building. Cost: $55 (If congregation has signed Energy Stewardship Covenant) $80 (Regular).
- Walk through Audit and Report -- The walk-through audit provides a comprehensive look at all the options your congregation has for saving energy, including low cost and no cost measures. The cost of this service is often paid off quickly through simple operational changes that cost nothing. You will be provided with a report that outlines the possibilities for saving energy and suggests how you might prioritize them and phase them over several years. A year’s worth of utility bills for each utility (gas, electric, natural gas) is needed in advance of the walk-through. Cost: $175 (If congregation has signed Energy Stewardship Covenant) $225 (Regular).
- Solar Assessment -- Our solar assessment will help you determine the solar potential of your facility and provide an estimated cost of a solar electric system. If your facility uses a lot of hot water, you can also get a solar hot water heating assessment. A report of recommendations is provided. Cost: $300 (If congregation has signed the Energy Stewardship Covenant) $350 (Regular).
Presentations or Workshops for Congregations
Topics include Renewable Energy, Energy Stewardship as a Faith Issue and Becoming a Climate Neutral Congregation or Household. Presentations and workshops can be tailored to your congregation’s needs and interests. We will work out a modest fee with you to cover costs.Solar Congregations Program
For many years, OIPL has responded to inquiries from congregations interested in solar electric systems for their rooftops as a testimony to their environmental values. New policies at the national and state levels have made it possible for non-profits, including congregations, to be able to purchase a solar electric or hot water system at a fraction of the overall costs through third-party financing. OIPL developed the Solar Congregations Program to make it as easy as possible for congregations to support solar energy, as well as to help the state of Oregon reach its goal of obtaining 25 percent of all its energy from renewable sources by 2025.Through a request for proposal process, OIPL selected Commercial Solar Ventures (CSV) to implement the project. They will install the solar systems, provide a financing plan, manage the financial and installation processes, and maintain the solar systems after installation. We appreciate CSV’s collective expertise in finance , taxation, law and energy, as well as their interest in working with the non-profit community. OIPL can facilitate a Solar Site Assessment for your congregation as well as assist with education and publicity. Due to an unstable Federal policy environment, the financing for the project has been postponed. We are hopeful that the renewable energy tax credit will get renewed in 2009 or sooner. It is set to expire in 2008, which makes for a difficult investment environment. For more information and fees, call Jenny Holmes at (503) 221-1054, ext. 214.
Financial Resources
Oregon Interfaith Power & Light has compiled a partial list of denominationally-based financial resources for energy and green building projects for congregations. View list.Contact us!
To set up appointment or discuss your needs, call (503) 221-1054, ext. 214.In the News
To view an article on the national Interfaith Power & Light movement, go to Orion's grassroots network Web site and read about "The Regeneration Project."
View an an article on OIPL in Orion's "Making Other Arrangements" section.
Several OIPL congregations are featured in "The Green Gospel," a featured article in the Oregonian's Living section on December 9, 2007.
Go Green! Buy Green Tags for Your Home or Congregation
Oregon Interfaith Power and Light and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation are partnering to offer you Green Tags. Purchasing Green Tags to offset the negative impacts of electricity is an easy, inexpensive way to demonstrate your commitment to protecting creation. Over 40 percent of the electricity generated in the Pacific Northwest comes from fossil fuels. Green Tags help replace fossil fuels burning electricity with renewables from Oregon, Washington, Montana and Wyoming.
Read more.Renewable Energy Options: Support Oregon Interfaith Power & Light and Renewable Energy at the same time!
Sign up for Pacific Power or PGE's Renewable energy programs through Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL), and OIPL will receive a $20 donation! Just send an e-mail to OIPL with your address and renewable power option to oipl@emoregon.org.
If you live in the Pacific Power's service territory, view more details.
Frequently asked questions of "Blue Sky Renewable Energy Options."If you live in PGE's service territory, view more details.
Our Congratulations Go to These Oregon Interfaith Power & Light Congregations!
The following congregations have shown leadership in earth stewardship by becoming Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) Congregations. OIPL Congregations complete the OIPL Energy Stewardship Covenant , making a commitment to support renewable energy, to educate their members about energy conservation and renewable power, and to conserve energy in their buildings. View list of OIPL Congregations.To request OIPL renewable power sign-up cards or for more information about OIPL, call (503) 221-1054. OIPL also encourages congregations and their members' businesses to meet Renewable Northwest Project's Clean Energy Challenge. In addition to Hopewell House Hospice Center, EMO's Northeast Emergency Food Program and the Patton Home have met the Clean Energy Challenge.
What Congregations Are Doing
"Solar Energy Powers Temple's Eternal Light"
"Synagogue Enlightens Members and Community on Energy Efficient Lighting and Light Bulb Recycling"
"Living Use guides Energy Stewardship at Dharma Rain Zen Center"
"Peace Lutheran Church: Pioneers in Oregon grid-tied solar!"
"A Natural Sanctuary: St. Catherine of Alexandria Episcopal Church, Manzanita"
"Congregation Worships in Comfort," First Presbyterian Church, Medford
"Green Building Case Study: First Unitarian Church of Portland"
"Friends remodel includes green practices," Multnomah Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
"First Green Building on Capitol Hill a Metaphor for Environmental Values," AIArchitect This Week
"Blue Nuns Go Green"Powell's Books Partner Program
EMO's Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns is a participant in the Powell's Books Partner Program. When you purchase a book at Powell's Books online store, our programs will earn 7.5 percent commission on every sale. Be sure to enter the Powell's Books site through our Web site. Go to our "Book Shelf" or use the search engine below.
