California Interfaith Power & Light

Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Responsibility.

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CIPL Members Making a Large-Scale Difference

For years, the faith community has been making an impact on greening their facilities, educating their members and impacting clean energy and climate legislation. Our colleagues at Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto are showing us another path to the transition to a cleaner world – large-scale solar within the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) system.

Simply put, FIT allows placement of a large-scale solar system to be placed on a property with all of the electricity generated going directly to the local utility. Usually, a FIT project is placed on governmental property. UU Church of Palo Alto was the first non-governmental property in Palo Alto to have a FIT system placed. Working without a “playbook”, the congregation had the good fortune of needed personnel within its membership to accomplish the project, including:

  • attorneys, one of whom had formerly worked for the City, and one who currently works for a law firm in the City
  • an electrical engineer who had worked in electrical power supply projects for the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) and other nuclear labs
  • several activists for clean energy
  • a consultant who had designed the feed-in tariff program for the City
  • a highly experienced CEO of start-ups in Silicon Valley
  • a tough-minded Board President with the patience needed for the job
  • a supportive congregation that voted 100% in favor of the project.

Working with the City of Palo Alto in a highly supportive and streamline process, a 233-kilowatt solar canopy system commenced on September 14, 2014. The developer for the project was Kommuna Energy of Palo Alto; the electrical contractor was Sprig Electric of San Jose; and the owner is Valta Energy in San Carlos. It was finished on July 3, 2018, and now provides electricity directly to the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department. To read more, check out this article.

Feed-In-Tariff projects are fast becoming a staple for many utility companies in the Golden State. Some large utilities, are combining FIT programs with environmental justice aims, such as the rooftop solar program for low-income residents, from Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. Recognizing that solar homes are often in wealthier areas, climate justice advocates are actively supporting such projects, which allow all communities to benefit from renewable – and more affordable – energy. CIPL has been active on advocacy for the production of FIT projects for years, staring in 2011 with the LADWP.

To check out possible opportunities in your area, get more information on California FIT programs.

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September Haps – EV’s, GCAS, EPA Hearing and More

Climate-related events after September 8’s RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice continued seemingly, non-stop, bringing out the faithful who are tireless advocates for a sustainable world. And the efforts of the California faith community and CIPL will continue unabated as we fall into Autumn. Stay tuned!

Members of the Watts Task Force display a Certificate of Environmental Recognition from Congressmember Barragan. Photo credit: Corey Burns.

On the same day as the international RISE marches, the Watts Clean Air and Energy Task Force, of which CIPL is a member, held their third EV Ride ‘n’ Drive. Held at St. John’s United Methodist Church, this event brought out faith and community leaders, a number of clean air vehicles and booths that hosted environmental programs as well as kids’ activities. Clean vehicles included the Nissan Leaf and Tesla. A centerpiece of the event was the official switching on of St. John’s first solar system, a highlight celebrated by church and community members alike.

A child demonstrates Watts’ environmental leadership. Photo credit: Corey Burns.

Eric Tell, a former resident of Watts and member of St. John’s, brought his Tesla. He sent the Task Force an email after the event expressing his admiration, writing “I’m very happy to have been there. It was an amazing event at a church that has been at the forefront of progress and community development/togetherness for decades. I’ve seen first-hand how St. John’s has stepped out and led in areas from feeding the community and providing a safe space for children in the summer, to educational programs aimed at general literacy and biblical literacy.” Thanks to its embrace of sustainable measures, St. John’s can add environmental leadership to the list.

 

Community, faith and environmental activists celebrated Watts’ environmental leadership. Photo credit: Corey Burns

 

(from left) Christine Monroe, Swami Tattwamayananda and Angie Dickson with the earth altar at the Prayer Workshop.

From September 12 to September 14, the international community came together in San Francisco for the Global Climate Action Summit. The faith community, largely organized by Interfaith Power & Light, the Episcopal Diocese of California and GreenFaith, assisted in planning and presenting the multi-faith service that preceded the opening of the Summit, as well as multiple affiliated faith workshops. CIPL staff helped to present several of the workshops, including one called “Act as if everything depends on you and pray as if everything depends on God.” In this workshop, a communal, weekly prayer was launched called “Global Ten Prayer,” which focuses prayers from multiple faith traditions on to current and on-going environmental challenges from a changing climate. Do you have favorite prayers for Creation that you’d like to see added to our list and/or a situation to pray for? Send an email to allis@interfaithpower.org.



Participants at the Prayer Workshop pray for all of Creation

 

A rally in support of Clean Cars Standards was held prior to the EPA/NHTSA Hearing in Fresno.

On September 24, members of the faith community came to Fresno for the first of three hearings on the proposed rollback of the Clean Cars Standards. In August 2012, the Obama Administration finalized ground-breaking standards, increasing the fuel efficiency of cars and light-duty trucks to 54.5 mpg by model year 2025. This mpg standard would take place in phases, slowly ramping up fuel efficiency, and was agreed upon in many negotiations with the EPA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and automakers.

IPL President Rev. Susan Guy, staff Bill Bradlee, and Rev. Ara Guekguezian of Fresno spoke eloquently at the EPA/NHTSA Hearing in Fresno.

On August 2nd, 2018, the EPA and NHTSA, directed by the Trump Administration, announced an alternative to the Clean Cars Standards. Ironically named SAFE (The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule), this would result in a significant weakening of fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions standards. A 60-day public comment period is open until October 26 and three hearings were held in the country to get the public’s and industry’s feedback on this proposal. Interfaith Power & Light switched into high gear in recruiting clergy and other faith leaders to turn out for the hearings in Fresno (Sep 24), Dearborn, MI (Sep 25) and Pittsburgh, PA (Sep 26.)

CIPL staff member Allis Druffel was thrilled to travel from L.A. to Fresno in a Honda Clarity Hydrogen Fuel Cell car.

The Fresno EPA/NHTSA brought more than 100 advocates. Comment after comment were in support of keeping the Clean Cars Standards in place as is with no deviation. Faith leaders, including Rev. Susan Hendershot, president of IPL, and Rev. Ara Guekguzian of Fresno, along with representatives from equity, policy, business, environmental and public health sectors were on hand. They hammered home common themes of protection of public health, increase in clean energy jobs, and lowered fuel and service costs. In fact, 99% of the commenters urged the EPA and NHTSA to withdraw the proposal to rollback the standards. Tell Trump you support the Clean Cars standards, too.

Leaders from IPL, United Methodist Women, and United Church of Christ deliver a petition signed by 4,500 people of faith to Ford Motor urging its unwavering support of the Clean Cars Standards.

 

On September 25, a CIPL webinar aimed at the Los Angeles County faithful, presented several resources for congregations and their members. You can check them out, too! The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP’s) Direct Install Program provides a free assessment of your congregation(‘)s’ facility(ies) and free energy and water efficiency measures. The Low-Income Weatherization Program offers a free home assessment and free energy and water-efficiency measures to region and income-qualified households. Our colleagues at Sunistics presented information of facility Demand Charges, how your facility uses energy, and how you are charged by your utility company. They also gave overview information of solar and battery storage. Contact a Sunistics representative and get a free analysis of your congregation’s energy use and Demand Charges.

 

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100% Clean Energy, Other CIPL Priorities Signed Into Law

Advocates gather around Gov. Brown as he signs SB 100 into law. Susan Stephenson, CIPL ED, is on left.

The goal of 100% clean energy in California is now a reality. After a two-year campaign with massive support from the faith, public health, equity, policy and environmental sectors, Senate Bill 100, which sets the target for 100% clean electrical energy by 2045, was passed and signed into law. Susan Stephenson, CIPL Executive Director, was present at Governor Brown’s signing. Congratulations to all California faith advocates who held events, sent letters, and did phone banking to get SB 100 passed!

Other CIPL priority legislation also passed both houses and signed by the governor. They include:

  • AB 1775 and SB 834: State Lands: Leasing: Oil and Gas
    Under current policy, the federal government has respected California’s right to restrict new drilling operations out of state and federal waters off our coast. On January 4th, 2018, the Trump administration proposed opening up 90% of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to new leasing for oil and gas production. The partner bills of AB 1175 and SB 834 will prohibit the State Lands Commission from approving any new leases authorizing oil- and gas- related infrastructure within state waters that are associated with new federal offshore leases. This bill will protect the California coast from the risks and impacts of new offshore oil and gas development, including oil spills that can threaten our coastal communities, environment, and economy.
  • Clara Vasaix, Legislative Consultant for Kevin deLeon, and Dan Jacobsen, head of the SB 100 Coalition, advise the faith advocates in Sacramento in August.

    SB 1014: Electrify California Ride-hailing (E-Car)
    As California moves to a cleaner energy future, transportation remains the single largest source of pollution affecting the health of our communities and polluting the environment. Ride-hailing companies such as Uber and Lyft are fast becoming a popular choice for riders. SB 1014 will increase efficiencies of the rides and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) deployed by California’s ride-hailing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs.)

As always, CIPL priority legislation is guided by three principles:

  1. Strong greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets from all sources — energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture  — leading California toward carbon neutrality.
  2. Significant investments in renewable power with the goal of 100% clean energy as soon as possible with priority for local solar and wind projects that create good jobs for Californians.
  3. Advancing climate justice by ensuring the participation in policy decisions by those on the front lines of climate impacts and tangible benefits for communities that have borne the brunt of fossil fuel pollution.

 

CIPL advocates gather ahead of the August 2018 Sacramento Lobby Day.

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RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice – Some Favorite Photos

The faith community was out in full force Saturday to RISE for Climate, Jobs, and Justice. In all, some 900 marches happened in 80 countries, calling for the equitable and accelerated transition to clean energy and environmental justice. In San Francisco, CIPL staff member Liore Milgrom-Gartner was a key partner in coordinating the faith contingent of the SF RISE march, which brought some 30,000 folks to their feet. Check out some of our favorite photos below!

Do you have a favorite picture of faithful folks in action during the RISE California marches? Send it to allis@interfaithpower.org.

SF March – Start of the Faith Contingent

SF March – Aloka Vihara Monastery Nuns and Assembled Faithful at Interfaith Service

SF March – Rabbi David Cooper of Kehilla Synagogue offers a pre-march Shabbat Service

SF March – The Interfaith Power & Light Climate banner

SF March – The United Methodist Church Women

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First Quarter Action – Events, Campaigns, New Members and More

The first quarter of 2018 proved to be a busy one for CIPL member congregations, staff and steering committee members. Indeed, 2018 has already shown that climate change is here, its effects are being felt in a number of ways in California and around the globe, and that the faith community is responding with ever-greater urgency. Here’s a sampling:

GL Hodge receives an award for his work at the San Francisco Interfaith Council celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, January 16, the San Francisco Interfaith Council, one of CIPL’s partners, held a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. event entitled “The Urgency of Now.” This phrase refers to Dr. King’s popular and ever-timely phrase, We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is not a time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

At this event, several prominent people were recognized for their leadership in pressing justice issues. One was GL Hodge, a CIPL Steering Committee member, who has been a force for youth and the faith community, especially from the Bayview Hunters Area of San Francisco. GL, in addition to his many efforts on climate and community protection, spear-headed the energy-efficiency and solar energy upgrade for Providence Baptist Church in San Francisco.

A coalition of folks from the faith, public health, equity, labor, policy and environmental sectors demanded that the EPA keep the Clean Power Plan in place.

On February 28, the federal Environmental Protection Agency held one of three listening sessions in San Francisco, ahead of its plan to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a program that, over the last five years, has received wide support from multiple sectors including tireless advocacy from the faith community. The majority of folks at the San Francisco session overwhelmingly demanded the Clean Power Plan be kept in place, in light of the fact that it will save tens of thousands of lives, prevent countless incidents of respiratory and cardiac illnesses, and create jobs, all while decreasing the U.S.’s pollution output by one third by 2030.

CIPL staff and supporters turned out to provide public comments, support a press conference and rally, and coordinated an interfaith prayer vigil on behalf of Creation and all people impacted by pollution and climate change. CIPL’s new president, Rev. Susan Hendershot Guy, summed up the feelings of many in the faith community with her statement, “Thousands of clergy and communities of faith from around the country have been working tirelessly for many years in support of the Clean Power Plan. Now we are coming together on the day of the San Francisco hearing to pray for those who are most vulnerable in our society, and those most impacted by climate change and its impacts. May the leadership in the EPA hear those prayers, and be guided by wisdom in their mission to protect human health and the environment.”

February 28 also witnessed a multitude of organizations from the faith, equity, public health, policy and environmental sectors coming together for the Green California Symposium in Sacramento. Excellent networking and preparations for 2018 were the order of the day, including: pressing 2018 legislation and ballot propositions; “best practices” for advocacy; and methods for continuing the transition to clean energy.

On March 4 in Claremont, CIPL Steering Committee member Mohammad Hoda was a presenter in a workshop entitled “Eco-Justice: Equity and Wellbeing in an Ecological Age.” Mohammad, who advises the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California on environment issues, and who lends his energy-efficiency expertise to Southland mosques, serves on the board of an upcoming international Muslim climate change mitigation effort called the Global Muslim Climate Network (GMCN.) The workshop in Claremont was one of a long series of events involving Dr. John Cobb, a noted theologian, and inspiration for several sustainability groups implementing real-life strategies to reduce pollution and build resilient communities.

On Wednesday, March 7, CIPL staff and intern, Allis Druffel and Emmanuel Nunez attended their first Watts Clean Air and Energy Task Force, held at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Watts. They were greeted warmly and given time to talk about the work of CIPL and the Low-Income Weatherization Program. In this meeting, Pastor Larry Dozier outlined his vision for St. John’s: to be an oasis in the desert, providing resources for the Watts community, and to be a beacon of light in terms of sustainability. Plans include energy efficiency upgrades, solar energy, and charging stations. St. John’s has already hosted an EV Ride ‘n’ Drive and undergone LADWP’s Direct Install program, with plans for an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 21 and another EV Ride ‘n’ Drive during National Drive Electric Week.

Two scientists from JPL presented an overview of the latest science of global temperature rise in Pasadena.

On March 24, CIPL was a co-sponsor of the “7th Annual Climate Change Forum: What will happen when global temperature rises?” Held at CIPL member congregation First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, the event featured two climate scientists from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, bringing their views on the latest science from the oceanography and ice/glacier fields. One topic of conversation was the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2), launched into space in 2014, which measures hot spots of carbon dioxide around the globe as well as collecting other important data. OCO-3 is being built now and expected to launch in the next two years.

Throughout the first quarter, CIPL intern Emmanuel Nunez continued his work on the Low-Income Weatherization Project. This campaign, funded by auction proceeds, offers regionally- and income-qualified households an array of free energy- and water-efficiency upgrades. The house may be rented or owned and must be a stand-alone dwelling or part of a duplex or four-plex. It is an excellent way for residents to reduce energy and water and save money, all while protecting Creation. While this program is state-wide, CIPL is an outreach partner in the Los Angeles County area. If you live in the Los Angeles area, click here to see if you qualify.

We have updated portions of our website and have included a tab for Videos and Celebrations. Check out inspiring videos of CIPL member congregations in action, feel free to share them with others, and please let us know of your efforts to protect all of Creation.

We welcome our new members. Drop them a line and share the eco-love!
St. John’s United Methodist Church, Watts
Peninsula Jewish Community Center, Foster City
Lafayette Baha’i Faith
First United Methodist Church of Pasadena
Redding Zen Buddhist Priory
Or Shalom Jewish Community, San Francisco

Advocacy Opportunities:
Faith Climate Action Week – resources for Earth Week 2018 – sign up here
Paris: We’re Still In – for more info and to sign, go here
Save Critical Federal Methane Standards – more info and sign here

 

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California Interfaith Power & Light
369 Pine Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 391-4214
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Phone: (310) 752-3436)
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