Welcome to Georgia Interfaith Power & Light! We are a nonprofit organization that works with faith communities on issues of energy conservation and creation care. We've got a lot of great information and advice for you on where your energy comes from and how you can be a responsible steward of creation. Not sure what any of this has to do with you? Check out Why Should I Care?
2009 GIPL AWARDS-THE GIPPY'S
Nominate your congregation by Monday, February 8.
The GIPPY's will be on February 18 at 7:00 PM at
The Temple
1589 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
Nominate your congregation by downloading and e-mailing our nomination form or Registering online. Remember, the GIPPYs honor congregations that have shown creativity and determination in incorporating creation care in all aspects of congregational life. Nominate your congregation today! Yummy desserts, inspiring stories and opportunities to support the continued work of GIPL!
*UPCOMING EVENTS *
Make sure to bookmark our Events Page to get all the latest and greatest on Events from GIPL and our friends and congregations
Interfaith Power & Light Preach In - February 13/14
Interfaith Power & Light is inviting clergy to preach a sermon on global warming the weekend of February 13-14, 2010. Visit InterfaithPowerandLight.org/PreachIn to sign up and to find lectionary resources and sermon samples. Listen to an invitation message from Rev. Sally Bingham.
New Green Team Training
A training for every member of your team!
Sunday February 28th 2-4 pm
@ Atlanta Friends Meeting House
701 West Howard Avenue
Decatur, GA
To register to attend email: achase at gipl.org for a full description check out our Events Page.
NEW Energy Star for Congregations Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled a new measurement and recognition system for churches similar to what is used for hotels, commercial buildings and other structures. The Energy Star rating system utilizes a data collection and measurement system known as Portfolio Manager to store and evaluate energy usage data. Learn more about this program HERE.
What are you up to?
We'd love to hear what your congregation is up to. Please take a moment to fill out our Survey Monkey survey to give us some feedback!
ADVOCACY ALERTS!!!
Longleaf Coal-Plant Hearing
The July 28 hearing on the Longleaf Coal-Fired Power Plant proposed to be built in Early County went very well. Many local community members came and spoke out against adding such a large pollution source to their area. We are awaiting the Environmental Protection Division's decision on the permit extension that the power company has requested. We will keep you posted!
Climate Legislation
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) passed the House of Representatives on Friday, June 26. Thank you for contacting your congressperson! Work on climate legislation is now going on in the Senate, where we are hopeful that it will be strengthened to better address needed cuts to carbon emissions.
Please contact Senator Isakson and Senator Chambliss to let them know that we are counting on them to help pass strong and effective climate legislation.
Plant Washington Update
There are two new coal-fired power plants being proposed for Georgia. Coal is dirty business, due to both the pollution produced when coal is burned (mercury, carbon dioxide, toxic ash, and more) and to the destructiveness of coal mining practices, including mountaintop removal. Of the two proposed plants in Georgia, one of them, the Longleaf Plant proposed for Early County, is currently in litigation due to pollution concerns. The other, Plant Washington proposed for Washington County, is being planned by a consortium of EMCs (Electric Membership Cooperatives) called Power4Georgians.
Originally ten EMCs were part of this plan, but in the past month, four of those EMCs (Greystone, Jackson, Diverse, and Excelsior) have dropped out, raising questions about the financial viability of the project.
Unfortunately, the remaining 6 EMCs (Cobb, Snapping Shoals, Pataula, Upson, Central Georgia, and Washington) have so far indicated that they plan to move forward on the project. GIPL is working with a number of other groups, as part of Georgians for Smart Energy, to encourage alternatives to building new coal-fired power plants, including efficiency and renewable power generation.
What Can We Do?
1. If you are a customer of Greystone, Jackson, Diverse, or Excelsior EMC - write or call your EMC to thank them for pulling out of Plant Washington. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
2. If you are a customer of Cobb, Snapping Shoals, Pataula, Upson, Central Georgia, or Washington EMC - write or call your EMC to ask them to end their relationship with Power4Georgians and their plans to build a new coal-fired power plant. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
3. If you are a customer of another EMC - write or call your EMC to ask them not to join the effort to build Plant Washington. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
And anyone can help support the move toward clean renewable energy by buying green power blocks either from your local utility provider Georgia Power or Green Power EMC or through a national renewable energy provider - see Green-e for a list. Learn more about Green Power on our Green Power Page.
ShopIPL.org Update
Discounts on ENERGY STAR appliances
through Sears!
As members of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, you are now able to purchase a select set of Sears energy efficient appliances at a reduced price. IPL's pdf guide lists the appliances that you may purchase through Sears at a special price. In order to get pricing, you must call the Sears support number listed on the first page of the pdf. You may go to your local Sears to see the appliances, but orders come from Sears commercial so you cannot purchase the appliances at the lower price at your local Sears store. (view pdf)
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light engages communities of faith in stewardship of God's Creation as a direct reflection of our faithfulness through worship, education, and the sustainable generation and efficient use of energy.
