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Massachusetts Conference Edition
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Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light fights global warmingby Vince Maraventano, Clean Energy Coordinator, Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light October/November 2008
At a time when it is critically necessary to reverse global warming, First Parish of Westwood, UCC, Eliot Church of Newton, and the Massachusetts Conference are leading by example. In 2002 Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light conducted environmental stewardship assessments for First Parish and Eliot Church. Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (MIPandL) is a non-profit initiative offering Massachusetts congregations of every religious tradition a comprehensive means of reducing energy consumption, lowering operating costs, and promoting clean, renewable energy in houses of worship and related buildings. With over 150 members involving Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist congregations, we are a mutual ministry working with the community of faith toward environmental justice and care of creation. The results of the assessments and actions taken prove that good environmental stewardship is good stewardship of church resources. Both churches have significantly reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and saved a lot of money. First Parish of Westwood installed a 2.64 kWh photovoltaic panel on its roof, through a cooperative effort with MIPandL, Conservation Services Group and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. A monitoring device shows energy output and the amount of fossil fuel use that is being avoided. Since monitoring began in 2004 the panel has generated 23,709 kWh of electricity. In 2007 it generated 5,820 kWh resulting in savings of $1,222. The Massachusetts Technology Council paid 62% of the cost of the panel. Federal and state tax credits may also be available for such installations. Eliot Church of Newton has followed a more traditional route with similarly impressive results. In 2003 Eliot installed four locked programmable thermostats and a zone valve creating 5 heating zones. Those improvements alone resulted in a 25% annual reduction in fuel costs. Eliot Church expects to see further fuel use reduction this year. New cellulose insulation was added under a utility rebate program that absorbed 75% of the cost. At a recent work day, members insulated fireplace openings and installed additional weather- stripping. Eliot is also considering the installation of interior storm windows. Eliot also reduced natural gas use 25% by the addition of a hot water heater blanket, and a timer that limits operation of the recirculation pump to 6 hours per day. The installation of 32 CFL’s in the sanctuary, and occupancy sensors in bathrooms, cut electricity use by 20%. The Conference facilities in Framingham installed insulation and double pane windows following a 2003 MIPandL assessment. Conference Minister Jim Antal hopes to make conference improvements that are a model for all churches. The Cornerstone Fund of the United Church of Christ offers Eco-Loans of up to $75,000. Electricity costs follow gas and oil costs and are expected to rise significantly next year. The combination of saving money, saving resources, and protecting the environment are pretty powerful reasons to check with MIPandL and see how your church can ‘go green.’
< www.MIPandL.org > email: Maraventano@mipandl.org
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