California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) is a faith-based organization of 225 congregations who have joined together to address global warming in their temples, synagogues, churches, and communities. CIPL members put their faith into action through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Established in the Spring of 2001, CIPL is now seeing the results of the second year of our members' collective efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The attached documents provide an overview quantifying CIPL's energy savings, clean energy production, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions prevention during our first and second year of operation.

This year CIPL's member congregations cumulatively prevented over 3.1 million pounds of CO2 from entering the atmosphere.(1) This is the equivalent of planting over 429 acres of trees or taking 315 vehicles off the roads. Members achieved the savings through a variety of techniques: replacing incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), generating solar power on their rooftops, and subscribing to green electricity through their utilities. CIPL's total energy output and savings for fiscal year 2002-2003:

Producing "Negawatts" Through Energy Conservation and Efficiency
CIPL's members saved a total of 1,096 megawatt hours of electricity over the past year by installing more efficient lighting.(4) Over 6,400 compact fluorescents lights were installed in sanctuaries, temples, and schools. CFLs only use about 10% of the energy that the common incandescent bulbs use. The energy savings translate to total cash savings of $135,959 in electricity costs.(5)

In addition, 11 CIPL members conducted on-site energy audits to learn more about ways to prevent wasteful energy use. These audits resulted in a variety of different changes in energy usage including installing energy efficient water heaters to compact fluorescent light bulbs to installing cool, sun-reflecting roofs.

Producing Clean Megawatts: Solar Panels and Green Electricity
Through on-site solar energy generation and subscriptions to green electricity, CIPL members have generated a total of over 1,445 megawatt hours of clean energy. Seven member congregations with on-site solar systems generated a total of 950,000 kilowatt hours of energy.(6) This figure reflects the prevention of 589 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted yearly.

Three member congregations sponsored the generation of clean energy by subscribing to green power through their utilities. (Many more congregations were previously subscribed to green power, but were involuntarily cut off when green energy retailers were forced out due to the energy crisis.) These three congregations, however, are able continue to buy green energy from local service providers. These congregations alone purchase 495,707 kilowatt hours of renewable energy that in turn prevents 307 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.(7)

Cool Roofs and Other Conservation Measures
A number of CIPL members benefit from other conservation measures such as lighting sensors/timers, programmable thermostats, weather stripping, energy efficient appliances, and trees shading their buildings. Some member also utilized cool roofs for energy conservation. These are light-colored, sun-reflecting roofs that reduce the need for air conditioning. Ten members have cool roofs installed on their congregations, which cut down on approximately 20% of all cooling costs during summer months.(8) In hot areas such as Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego, congregations with cool roofs experience significant savings in their energy bills.

Education
CIPL's members have engaged in conservation as an educational and inspirational topic as well. 18 member congregations have given sermons dedicated to global warming and energy consumption. An additional three member congregations participated in community and denominational outreach programs to better inform their communities about the effects of global warming and environmental degradation.

Conclusion
California Interfaith Power and Light's success demonstrates the impact that one community can have by making simple, low-cost, energy improvements. As we become better energy stewards, the religious community can lead the way to a clean energy future.

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Footnotes
1 Conversion data according to the California Energy Commission and the EPA Energy Star Program.
2 Data according to the California Energy Commission
3 Data according to the Environmental Protection Agency
4 Data according to survey information from CIPL members and equations from Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program
5 Data according to information collected from Sacramento Municipal Utility District, San Diego Power and Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, Roseville Electric, Alameda Power and Telecom, Southern California Edison, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on rates per kilowatt hour for small business
6 Data according to survey information collected from CIPL members and equations collected from Sacramento Municipal Utility District Solar Panel Program
7 Data according to survey information collected from CIPL members and equations collected from Environmental Protection Agency
8 According to Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Program