CIPL Energy "Oscars"

Recognizing the work of outstanding CIPL member congregations in fulfilling the CIPL Congregational Covenant to address global warming in the faith community.

The First Annual CIPL Energy "Oscars" took place on Tuesday, December 11th at
First Congregational Church, Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA.

Prize categories:

- Education - Energy Efficiency - Renewable Energy - Green Building - Public Policy

And the Nominees were...

+Education
Berkeley Society of Friends
Congregation Kol Emeth
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Orinda
First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Winners! (tie)- St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Orinda and First Congregational Church of Berkeley

+Energy Efficiency
Unity in Marin
Loyola Marymount University
First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto

Winner! Loyola Marymount University

+Renewable Energy
San Francisco Zen Center
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church, Lafayette
Loyola Marymount University

Winner! San Francisco Zen Center

Abbess Linda Cutts receives the award for Renewable Energy on behalf of the San Francisco Zen Center.

+Green Building
Presentation Conference and Retreat Center, Los Gatos
Unitarian Universalist Church of Riverside
First United Methodist Church, Santa Cruz

Winner! Presentation Conference and Retreat Center, Los Gatos

+Public Policy
Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton
Hollywood Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Winner! Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles

Here is the presentation from the event showing photos of some best practices:

"Oscars" Slide Show Part 1 (Pdf)
"Oscars" Slide Show Part 2(Pdf)
"Oscars" Slide Show Part 3(Pdf)

Highlights of nominees' best practices:

Education- First Congregational Church of Berkeleyhas created a Climate Action Ministry Team to "Take the Carbon Challenge." They are promoting the challenge to several dozen households to take action during the coming year to significantly reduce their "carbon footprint"-a measure of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with daily activities. The program begins byl measuring each household's carbon footprint. The committee provides resources and support in taking carbon-reducing steps, including periodic "carbon anonymous" meetings!

Energy Efficiency- Loyola Marymount University - They always boost CIPL's annual survey with the number of CFLs and other energy efficiency efforts. They did lighting retrofits in their library, new efficient air conditioners, and two LEED dorms, one LEED certified and one LEED Silver. They do a great job monitoring their progress, which is what we want to promote. We encourage our congregations to track their progress on software such as Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

Renewable Energy- San Francisco Zen Center. Here is an article on the Zen Center's best practices.

Renewable Energy- Loyola Marymount University - They have several solar systems, including an enormous one on the roof of a former Howard Hughes building (the largest array that Mike had ever seen). They do a great job tracking the energy produced.

Green Building - Presentation Center. Here is an article about Presentation Center's best practices.

Green Building - UU Riverside- They were the first UU certified Green Sanctuary, a denominational green congregations program which promotes a variety of green practices including education outreach and facilities. It took 2 years to be certified. They are active with the Sustainable Riverside program, promoted by Riverside's Mayor. Their congregation was founded in 1881, and the building was built in 1891. We chose them because they were able to incorporate energy efficiency into an existing building (air conditioners are Energy Star, etc.) showing that you don't need to demolish in order to go green, you can green your existing building.
Here's a nice write up in the Riverside Press-Enterprise Environment Blog.

Policy and Advocacy - Temple Isaiah - They have one of the most active Green Teams that we know of. They have created a culture of eco-consciousness throughout their congregation. All of their clergy drive hybrids or electric vehicles. Steve Fox has a famous CFL Menorah. Rabbi Zoe Klein coauthored a letter to the LA Times with Rev. Sally Bingham. They hosted an interfaith conference on social justice, and have been active on climate change for years. Steve Fox was part of the Toyota delivery letter delegation.

Public policy and advocacy - Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church - Pastor Ryan Bell participated in CIPL's Sacramento Advocacy Day. It was very important to have Southern California clergy represented as we met with several state assemblymembers and state senators to talk about the importance of climate change issues. Pastor Ryan Bell helped hand deliver a sign-on letter of 300 religious leaders asking Toyota to drop out of the automakers' lawsuit against California over its Clean Car Regulations. He attended a meeting with Toyota's External Affairs to discuss the possibility of Toyota dropping the lawsuit at Toyota Corporate Headquarters in Torrance. Pastor Ryan Bell was also a signatory to letter. Holllywood Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted an event with CIPL featuring Appalachian Voices, a group that raises awareness of mountaintop removal, a destructive coal mining practice in the Appalachian mountains.

Coming soon, photos from the awards ceremony.

Thank you to our sponsors:

The Beatitudes Society
Café de la Paz
Catholic Charities: Diocese of Stockton
Jax Vineyards
Luminalt Solar
Lutheran Office of Public Policy
Madonna Estate Winery
The Next Generation
Palo Alto Ministerial Conference
Peet’s Coffee
PG&E
Redefining Progress
Sierra Club California
Solaria
Sun Light and Power