Presented by

Long Island Interfaith Environment NetworkA project of the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College

7180 Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY 11735516.678.5000 ext. 7561

LIIEN.orgsi.molloy.edu

Printed in 2010

“HOW TO” TIPS ON GETTING STARTED

GREENING YOUR

PLACE OF WORSHIP

Evaluate, Praise, and Publicize:

• Have your Energy Steward monitor financial and environmen­tal impacts.

• Publicize your success; praise your leaders! Write a news release for your newsletter and local paper telling how your house of wor ship is fighting global warming through energy conservation.

Using Renewable Energy:

• Solar electric:

• Long Island places of worship are entitled to an extra rebate per watt over the residential rate from LIPA when they install solar photovoltaic panels (solar PV).

• For current information on rebates and a list of solar installers see the LIPA “Solar Pioneers” web page: www.lipower.org/commercial/nfp/solar.html.

• Solar Hot Water:

• Solar thermal panels have a lower cost to install and are a highly efficient way to provide hot water. They are eligible for a LIPA rebate if your building is electrically heated.

• Wind:

• Some Towns also allow for residential wind installations. Contact your Town Building Department.

Other Ways for Your Place of Worship to Be GreenReduce Toxins in and Around Your Place of Worship: Cleaners:

• Many cleaners contain harsh chemicals and VOCs, (Volatile Organic Compounds) that can irritate the respiratory system.

• New York State requires all school dis tricts to use cleaners that meet the national GreenSeal standard.

• Look for bio­based cleaners that do not contain the antibacterial chemical triclosan.

Practice Organic Lawn care:

• Many common pesticides used to kill weeds and insects are associated with health effects such as cancer, hormone disruption, and nerve toxicity.

• Many are also toxic to wildlife and can run off into local water bodies.

• Safer alternatives for lawn care are available at better nurseries. A list of organic landscapers can be found at neighborhood­network.org. Search under “Issues areas,” then “Pesticides and Alternatives.”

Paints:

• Consider non­VOC paints that have no odor

• Available at all better paint stores, and Green Depot (greendepot.com) and GreenerCountry.com

Reduce Waste In and Around Your Place of Worship: 1) Purchase recycled paper for your copy machines. 2) Purchase biodegradable food serving products such as plates, forks, and cups made from vegetable starch 3) Recycle paper, cans, and bottles. 4) Reduce water waste through low flow toilets.

All of the above can be purchased at GreenerCountry.com

Plant a Community Garden: Con sider converting a section of your property into an organic com munity garden, using native plants.

• This is a great way to involve children in a positive activity that raises their environmental aware ness.

• Vegetables grown in the garden can be provided to poor in the community.

• Fresh, local food is healthy and has a lower “carbon footprint.”

• If your place of worship has land to spare, you may want to consider a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project on the land.

Encourage Your Congregation Members to Go Green at Home: Use sermons, newsletters, bulletins, websites, and educational events to encourage your congregation members to reduce their impacts at home.

• Sample sermons about ecological stewardship are available on a DVD from Interfaith Power & Light, called “Preaching for the Planet” (call 914­231­5094 for a copy).

• Greenfaith offers periodic trainings for religious leaders for this purpose also.

• Incorporate stewardship of creation into school curriculum or religious programs. Children’s enthusiasm is contagious!

• Many companies offer home energy audits on Long Island. See LIGreen Guide.org for a listing.

• Many retail stores offer green cleaners and less toxic lawn and garden care products for homeowners.

Stewardship Resources for the Faith Community:• LI Interfaith Environment Network: LIIEN.org • NY Interfaith Power & Light: nyipl.org** • Greenfaith: greenfaith.org**

**Thank you to Greenfaith and NYIPL for many of the tips herein.

Reduce Energy Impact and CostHere are some helpful steps towards having a successful energy-saving program

Make a Public Commitment and Create a Written Policy:

• When clergy and institutional leaders make a public com­mitment, they are more likely to actually change behavior.

• Do in­house publicity to develop a commitment to energy conservation. A sample Sustainability Policy is available through LIIEN.

Establish Baseline Information and Set a Target:

• Without a baseline, you won’t know if you’ve saved energy. We recommend using a two year average.

• Enter your monthly energy usage figures (not cost) in Green­Faith’s Energy Spreadsheet, or an equivalent. The spreadsheet calculates your baseline annual energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Set goals for your quarterly and annual energy use, mindful of seasonal variation.

• Aim for a 10% reduction in relation to the baseline during your first year.

Choose an Energy Steward:

• A dedicated Energy Steward will help your group stay focused on energy savings goals.

• The Steward should determine current energy use, monitor monthly use in relation to the baseline, report to the Governing Body, oversee energy educa tion of leaders, and oversee conservation measures.

Identify Areas that need improvement:

• Start by hiring a qualified professional to do an energy audit (maybe you have one in your congregation). See LI GreenGuide.org for a listing of companies on Long Island that offer audits and installation work.

• You can also request free audits from LIPA, and from National Grid.

• Assistance from LIPA:

• LIPA has a representative whose specific role is to assist non­profits, municipalities, and places of worship: Contact Walter Hoefer ­ 516­719­9840, whoefer@lipower.org.

• To request an electric use audit from LIPA, download an Audit Request form from www.lipower.org/pdfs/commercial/NFP/ NFPaudit.pdf and fax the form to John Pratnicki, Audit Program Manager, at 631­755­5381 (fax), 631­755­5390 (phone).

• For more information on programs that LIPA offers to places of worship and other not­for­profits, visit their website: www.lipower.org/ commercial/NFP/

• Assistance from National Grid: To request a heating/cooling audit from National Grid, call the hotline: 1­800­843­3636 (businesses/commercial) or 1­800­860­0815 (residential), and have your gas account number ready. National Grid offers direct rebates on certain technologies. Visit www.thinksmartthinkgreen.com for the details.

Take Advantage of EPA’s discounts through Quantity Quotes:

Congregations can save money on 7 items through the US Environmental Protection Agency’s “Quantity Quotes” program:

• refrigerators• fluorescent light bulbs• fluorescent light fixtures• air conditioners• dishwashers• dehumidi fiers• clothes washers

Visit www.quantityquotes.net to anonymously bid and get several price quotes numerous affiliated suppliers.

Carrying Out Energy Efficiency Measures:

• Note that some local banks may offer low interest financing for “green” projects.

• When searching for contractors, be sure to ask about their qualifications e.g., Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification. A listing can be found at LIGreenGuide.org.

KEY AREAS TO LOOK AT: • Lighting – install efficient bulbs and use occupancy

sensors to shut off lights when room is unoccupied.

• HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems) — Efficiency and regular preventive main-tenance are key.

• Install automatic thermostats.

• Plumbing – use sensors on sinks, low flow fixtures, tankless water heat¬ers that heat on-demand, and insulate hot water pipes.

• Tighten up the building envelope – insulation, and air sealing are key.

LEAD YOUR COMMUNITYUSE ENERGY WISELY AND REDUCE TOXINS