CARB Chairman Mary Nichols led the two-day Board Meeting that led to the passage of historic Clean Cars Standards

On January 27, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the strongest clean car standards in the nation. These new standards will protect public health, save consumers money at the pump, and decrease carbon pollution. By 2025, when the rules will be fully implemented new automobiles will emit 34 percent fewer carbon emissions and 75 percent fewer smog-forming emissions, as well as save an average of $6,000 in fuel over the life of the car.

Senator De Leon (D-Los Angeles) testified in person in support of the Clean Cars Standards

Some 80 persons gave public comments at the CARB hearing on January 26, which was held at the Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles. The Clean Cars Standards received wide support from public health, faith, environmental and legislative sectors. Senator De Leon testified to the public health and economic benefits of the Standards.

The Standards received support from auto manufacturers, which were appreciative of the built-in flexibility of the “over-compliance” provision. This provision grants auto manufacturers who comply with greenhouse gas limits by 2018 some flexibility in the amount of clean vehicles to produce between 2018 and 2021. This provision was deemed too liberal by several organizations that were concerned that it would lead to a backwards slide in clean cars. CARB Chairman Mary Nichols explained that the idea was to capture a wide range of support from multiple sectors and that CARB staff stated that the over-compliance flexibility would give car manufacturers time to develop new and creative clean cars technologies.

In her public comments, CIPL staff member Allis Druffel highlighted the support of the faith community citing principles that all major faith traditions hold in terms of protecting Creation: protecting air quality and health; working for a healthy economy; transitioning to a clean energy future; and mitigating climate change. CIPL submitted a letter signed by ten faith organizations, and an e-letter signed by 159 faith advocates, which are now part of the public record.

Advocates for CARB's Clean Cars Standards included representatives from Better World Group, Union of Concerned Scientists and CIPL

Thank you to all 159 faith advocates who sent in a letter of support for these historic clean cars standards!

Great News!

One more CIPL congregation is utilizing clean and renewable energy.

Here’s their story:

The Mt Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church is located in Walnut Creek, CA. It has about 415 members and an annual budget of about $650,000. In late July 2011 we realized that the Federal grant for solar power would expire at the end of the year, and if we wanted to achieve our long time goal of installing solar panels we had to move quickly.

There were several steps required: determine the size of the system, select an installer, find a source of funding, get support from the finance committee and board, and receive congregational approval.

From the preliminary proposals of several local solar installers, the task force selected three finalists. We interviewed them in person, and vetted them by inquiries to their suppliers and customers. We then selected our preferred candidate for final negotiations, based largely on their bid price. In the end, we selected SunLogic.

We found that roof mounting was cheaper, and less susceptible to vandalism and theft. Different solar panels have differing efficiencies – more expensive ones produce more power. Because we generate power during peak periods when electricity prices are high ($.30/kWh), and use power on the weekends when prices are low ($.12/kWh), we didn’t need to replace all of our current usage. Also, we were in the process of increasing the efficiency of our lighting and other uses. We don’t want to generate more electricity dollars than we use, as excess power has a very small value. We ended up putting SunPower panels on all of the sloping roofs with south and west exposure. The 37kWh system will generate about eighty percent of our consumption. The cost of the system was just over $200,000.

We scheduled a congregation meeting in November, and two open conversations to present the proposal and answer questions. Our messages were clear: The benefits of this project were that it could help us publicly live our values, and protect us from likely long-term electric rate hikes.  We explained the cash-flow-neutral financing would increase our debt, but not our expenses, as the payments would be essentially the same as our utility bills.

It turned out that the biggest hurdle was to find a lender to own the system, as the church was not eligible for the grant as it is a non-profit. Many lenders were not interested in owning the system, or were unwilling to lend to a church. With the assistance of the installer we found a lender who provided cash flow neutral funding. We had to assume the risk of the grant not being received.

The financing agent, Belvedere Equipment Finance, is an intermediary, with the actual investment provided by a bank. Because the bank would receive a 30% rebate of their investment in a few months, they were willing to offer a very low interest rate. The paperwork was fairly straight-forward, but we had it reviewed by an attorney in our congregation.

At this time, the PG&E rebate on solar PV has been reinstated and we have applied, but we don’t know the amount or whether we will receive it.

Summary

The task force met almost every week for several months to develop the proposals. Others from the Board, Building Committee and Finance Committee also spent time. The system is now generating, and we can monitor it on the web. The financing commits us to a 5% per year increase in electricity cost, and this year the PG&E rate increase will only be 1.8%. We really won’t see the benefits until year thirteen when we own the system. There are real savings but they are far in the future, when the power generated is essentially free. However, the benefits to the environment start now, and represent our commitment to preserving our planet.

Arthur Ungar

January 12, 2012

Orange County Solar and Energy Efficiency Night for Congregations (and residences, too!)
Thursday, February 9, 7:00p – 9:00p
Church of the Foothills, 19211 Dodge Ave., Santa Ana, 92705
Contact/RSVP: Allis Druffel, (310) 752-3436, allis@interfaithpower.org

Adding to the list of successful state-wide Solar Nights, CIPL, in conjunction with Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment is hosting one in Orange County! Please join us on February 9 for an evening of information about energy efficiency and solar power. Presenters from three solar companies, Southern California Edison and Energy Upgrade California will be on-hand with information for congregational facilities and residences. Spread the good word!

Join CIPL on Saturday, February 11th, 2012
1-4 pm at University Lutheran in Palo Alto

Are you the “green sheep” in your congregation?

Do you need tools for taking the next step in leading your congregation’s response to climate change?

Join CIPL for a Cool Congregations Workshop!

The Cool Congregations Workshop will help you measure and reduce the carbon footprint of your congregation and member households. By attending, you will become a trained leader and receive a tool-kit for this unique stewardship program.

The Cool Congregations will provide what you need to make a difference in your home, congregation, and community.  Research shows that small group models provide the best opportunity for real and lasting change.  Faith communities have used the small group model for centuries! Find out how you can use this time-tested method to lead your congregation’s response to climate change.

Cool Congregations is organized as a set of small group gatherings facilitated by a leader trained at this February 11th workshop.

Participating households and congregations:

• Invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Save money on bills
• Prevent carbon emissions that contribute to climate change

By attending the set of small group gatherings, participants:

• Measure their carbon footprint
• Explore ways to reduce their footprint
• Make a faith-based pledge to reduce their footprint
• Meet to celebrate their successes and build community!

Click here to RSVP online

You will bring back to your congregation:

Cool Congregations Manual

Resource CD

Cool Congregations Carbon Calculator

Energy and ideas to start your own program!

Questions or for more info: Call Rachel at 415-391-4214 or email rachel@interfaithpower.org

Interfaith Power & Light’s national Cool Harvest campaign makes an intimate connection between food, faith and climate. It helps to bring about awareness of an everyday action – eating – and how we can do this is a respectful way, mindful of the health of the Earth and our fellow citizens.

The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham comments on the important work of all of the congregations at the Energy Oscars!

CIPL’s 5th Annual Energy Oscars, held at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco, was the largest of all -200 were in attendance and it was the first time that the event was “sold out.”

Networking, fun, and great food from Greens Restaurant prevailed, with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir energizing the crowd until the end.

We hope you enjoy reading about it as much as we enjoyed attending!

The emcee for the evening was Alexander Zwissler, Director and CEO of Chabot Space and Science Center.  Rev. Sally Bingham, Founder and President of CIPL, lifted up the importance of science in the climate issue. “We wanted Alex Zwissler to be with us at our event to show that science and religion can and must work together,” she said. “When we are talking about climate change, religion would not have a prayer without the scientific facts to back up our request for conservation and transitioning society away from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy.”

The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir

But the real stars of the evening were the representatives from the finalist congregations. The work of the these congregations inspired all those in attendance and served as signs of hope that a brighter future is indeed possible.

Representatives from all 14 Energy Oscar Winners and Finalists

Here’s one article online at Sierra Club Green Home:

Energy Oscars Recognize Wide Variety of Faith Efforts

More photos online: Flickr set 2011

Finalists and winners in each category:

Energy Efficiency

Winners: Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Muir Beach and Trinity Church of Menlo Park

Alex Zwissler and Rev. Sally Bingham pose with priests from the Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

Energy efficient "Passive House" student housing at Green Gulch Farm

In contemplating the type of energy-efficient student housing to build on Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, the Farm found what they were looking for in the “passive house” principle. A passive house saves energy through careful sealing, insulation, and innovative design of air exchange, using the heat from the air being drawn out to warm the fresh air coming in. This simple mechanism vastly reduces the energy required to heat the building. As a result, the student hall uses 90% less energy  than a regular code compliant new building, and it is the first certified multi-unit passive house in the U.S. The student hall also incorporates solar water heating and stored rainwater to flush the toilets.

Green Gulch’s student housing is a manifestation of the Buddhist principles of committing to live for the benefit of all beings and to tread lightly on the Earth.

In addition to energy saving measures, Trinity Church integrated Creation Care into its liturgy

The energy saving program of Trinity Church in Menlo Park began two years ago. The first year of the program Trinity was able to reduce electrical consumption by 11%, simply by an awareness campaign that focused on behavioral changes like turning off lights and computers. (Sounds simple, but these are often the most difficult changes to implement!) In the second year, incorporating energy efficiency measures, Trinity achieved an additional 16% savings. Then, a lighting retrofit was performed all over the 2-acre campus, and with a PG&E rebate covering half of retrofit costs, the payback period is under two years.

Other efficiency measures include: a just-completed energy retrofit in the rectory, including new heating and cooling ducts, attic insulation, a new furnace, and energy-efficient appliances.

And Trinity Menlo’s efforts don’t stop at the church walls – what’s even more impressive is how it has inspired parishioners to embrace the ethic of energy efficiency at home. In 2010, Trinity took part in Interfaith Power & Light’s 10% Challenge to save energy, and 34 households participated, monitoring and reducing energy consumption at home.

Finalist: Temple Judea, Tarzana

Temple Judea's entry hall is just the start of a beautifully-renovated campus

Several years ago, under the leadership of Rabbi Dan Goor, Temple Judea in Tarzana made the decision to ensure their buildings were as sustainable as possible. This year, they designed and built several new buildings on their campus, including the sanctuary and the administration building. Part of the old building was recycled and re-used in the new construction. They also used sustainable building  materials and techniques including: 25% Fly Ash concrete, which reduces the greenhouse gases in the manufacturing of cement; recycled stone countertops; a cool roof system; and bamboo flooring approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Not only was energy saved by the attention paid to building materials, Temple Judea will reduce their energy consumption going forward, with energy-efficient lighting throughout, occupancy sensors; programmable dimming; and lighting control panels.  The HVAC system is state of the art, and the building itself employs energy-saving features that reduce the demand for heating and cooling. Water-conservation measures are in place including low-flow lavatories and sinks.

With the addition of a sustainable external landscape, Temple Judea is among the top greenest congregations in the San Fernando Valley.

Finalist: First Lutheran Church, San Diego

Skylights reduce need for artificial lighting in First Lutheran's sanctuary

Before starting its energy efficiency makeover, First Lutheran Church in San Diego church measured its carbon footprint and received three separate energy audits. With the leadership of its Green Team, the church went to work on lowering their footprint, while educating its parishioners on energy stewardship at home. Though First Lutheran had already received a high score from the EPA Energy Star program, the Green Team saw that there were a lot of opportunities to become even more energy efficient.

And they were right. First Lutheran has further reduced its footprint by 31% conducting an energy-efficient lighting retrofit; installing sky lights in the sanctuary, encouraging bicycling by installing bike racks; and reducing the use of heating and cooling. First Lutheran also engaged in a variety of educational events, such as the annual Earth Day nature walk in the city, hosted an Energy Fair, helped defeat counter-climate policy such as Prop 23, and has adopted Lenten themes around using energy and water more consciously.

Advocacy

Winner: Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, North Hollywood

Rev. Dr. Bob Shore-Goss (right) of MCC in the Valley with Rev. Sally Bingham and Alex Zwissler (photo: Rick Johnson)

MCC in the Valley, North Hollywood practices “radical inclusion” and a few years ago decided to make the Earth a member of the congregation. Its ministry, Alive & Green, was started a few years ago to help the congregation show respect for the earth. MCC in the Valley believes that ecology is central to Christian faith. With its solar panels, meditation garden, and attention to all areas of sustainability, the church is one of the greenest congregations in the San Fernando Valley.

MCC in the Valley was very active in the fight against Prop 23 last year, and in the successful campaign to pass a 33% renewable energy target statewide by 2020. Its two leaders, the Reverends Bob and Joe Shore-Goss, sent letters to their elected representatives on all of CIPL’s priority legislation, and collected sign-on letters from their members. MCCV also hosted the launch of an L.A. area Eco-Clergy group in March and is active in the campaign to get the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power to commit to being coal-free by 2020.

Finalist: Holy Family Catholic Church, San Jose

Holy Family parishioners brainstorm on ideas for a unified green vision for the San Jose diocese

In conjunction with the Catholic Green Initiative of Santa Clara County, Holy Family Catholic Church, San Jose encourages area Catholics to take part in a unified green vision for the diocese. Holy Family gets its members involved via a Faith in Action Team and a Green Team that facilitates parishioners’ writing letters to the editor and speaking out on important policy concerns. It has asked all its congregants to sign the St. Francis Pledge, which includes a commitment to pray, learn about, assess, act on and advocate for climate issues, especially as they affect the most vulnerable.

Holy Family takes to heart the 7^th principle of Catholic Social Teaching – Care for God’s Creation – and aims to practice what it preaches. The church is proud to be the original of five parishes within the Diocese to go solar. One hundred eighty five kilowatts of solar energy are now installed on two areas of the campus. In its first year, the solar system generated nearly two-thirds of the electricity used on the campus. As a result, Holy Family is modeling the clean energy solutions they want to see adopted across the wider society.

Finalist: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County

UU Santa Cruz is active in local, regional and state initiatives

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County, in coordination

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County

with the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, has been an active supporter of state and national energy and climate legislation. It is also involved with many issues affecting Santa Cruz County, such as desalination alternatives, and working to protect oceans, beaches and rivers with Save our Shores.

UU Santa Cruz gets its members and the outside community involved through services focused on sustainable issues such as simple living and ethical eating, and hosting workshops and events. As with the other finalists in the Advocacy category, UU Santa Cruz also walks the talk – having undertaken a variety of energy saving techniques from installing solar and energy efficient lighting, to using rainwater capture and storage.

Education

Winner: Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno

Three years ago, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno built a LEED-certified building (shown here)

Representatives of UU Fresno - Mary McDonough (far left) and Connie Young (far right), UU San Francisco (David Jones and Margaret Pearce, second and third from left) and UU Santa Cruz County (Deborah Pembrook, second from right) at the Energy Oscars

Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno

and later installed solar panels as well.  Congregation members have taken action to reduce home energy use and other climate response actions.

UU Fresno’s highlight event of the year was hosting an Earth Day celebration with the Fresno Earth Day Coalition that turned out close to 1,000 people. The celebration provided fun activities and lots of information for attendees on alternative energy vehicles, e-waste recycling, local organic food, green businesses, and even a solar cooking demonstration. UU Fresno is one church that has truly become a leader in educating the wider community on environmental and climate stewardship.

Finalist: St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego

Members of EarthKeepers San Diego at a Moving Planet Planning meeting

The Simpler Living Ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego, offers a wide variety of educational events and opportunities, including film screenings, lectures, workshops on sustainable living, and even a “slow food” potluck. The Ministry also works with elementary-aged children once a month in the Growing with God program, combining Episcopal curriculum and creation care.

St. Paul’s is active in the broader community, and joined with other congregations to form EarthKeepers San Diego, which advocates for sustainable measures locally. It is also a lead congregation in CIPL’s San Diego Working Group.

This fall, St. Paul’s took on a high profile role in climate change education and awareness by helping to organize San Diego’s Moving Planet Day of Action, on September 24^th . The church hosted an interfaith panel that led a discussion of the faith role in the climate movement, which attracted an audience of over 100. Later that day the march and rally that followed attracted 400 participants. St. Paul’s is a great example of climate education that extends to awareness-raising throughout their community and city.

Finalist: St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, San Francisco

Community and church members came together on St. Cyprian's sidewalk renovation project

St. Cyprian’s Church, San Francisco took a creative approach on a project to green their street corner while educating the broader community. By involving their neighbors and members, St. Cyprian’s transformed the hard concrete sidewalks on the corner of Lyon and Turk to a permeable, green landscape. The intent of the project was to allow rain to filter to the aquifer below, reducing the burden of the city sewer system and saving energy. At every step of the way, the project enjoyed community collaboration.

With a compelling vision but little financing, the church held a fundraiser attended by 60 people at a local restaurant. Students from the University of San Francisco conducted initial research to plug into the city’s program known as Grey2Green for building permeable sidewalks. Finally, a landscape architect from the neighborhood donated his time to design the sidewalk area with more than 100 plants in 160 square feet. The result is a a beautiful sidewalk, healthier groundwater and a community aware and committed to a environmental concerns.

Green Building

Winner: First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino

First Presbyterian Church Green Team members were active in the installation of an impressive 53kW solar system

First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino, located in the Inland Empire, is heavily impacted by the transportation sector, which is a huge contributor to global warming and high cases of respiratory illnesses in the local communities. Partly in an effort to reduce regional air pollution, the church Green Team members placed a 53 kW solar array on its sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. This has resulted in an impressive 90% reduction in monthly electrical costs.

Other measures instituted by First Presbyterian include: energy-efficient lighting; motion sensors; sky lights; solar tube lighting; twist timers and energy-efficient refrigerators. First Presbyterian remains active in the environmental educational field as well, offering workshops on energy efficiency, and is an active supporter of climate and energy legislation. Recently, the whole church got on board in the planting of 20 new trees on the church’s perimeter, bringing beauty and shade to the surrounding community.

Finalist: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Hermosa Beach

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church's Solar and Energy Efficient measures make it a model for the L.A. Archdiocese

From left: Father Ray Mallett, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Allis Druffel, California Interfaith Power & Light and Rick Lopez, Fr. Thomas Czech, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Hermosa Beach holds the distinction of being the first church in the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese to install solar panels on the roofs of both its church and school, resulting in a 65kW system. It has become a green building model for the whole of the Archdiocese. In addition to solar, other energy-efficient measures were undertaken, including a lighting retrofit; skylights; energy efficient windows and the use of natural ventilation; low-flow toilets and Energy Star appliances. There is also drought-resistant landscaping and permeable gravel to reduce run-off and storm water pollution to the ocean.

Rev. Ray Mallett, the Franciscan pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, holds the ideal of Creation stewardship very dear. “To St. Francis” he says, “all of Creation was our brother or sister. This project uses the resources of brother sun to light up our church and school.”

Finalist: Temple Sinai, Oakland

Temple Sinai was awarded a silver LEED rating for its green building measures

Temple Sinai, Oakland was recently awarded a Silver Level LEED rating – for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The building was planned to use resources more efficiently and provide a healthier work and living environment for staff, students and members. Some of the building’s green features include: a minimum of 50% wood used is is approved by the Forest Stewardship Council; energy efficient lighting on timers and occupancy sensors; natural light and ventilation in classrooms, office and the new chapel; an efficient heating and cooling system; lots of insulation; and low VOC paint.

In addition to their new green building, Temple Sinai supports regional environmental programs, such as Community Supported Agriculture. The careful planning that went into this building’s construction and programs make it a real community asset to all of Temple Sinai’s members and its neighbors in Oakland.

Finalist: Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco was granted Green Sanctuary status by the UU Ministry for the Earth, a process that requires action in four areas: worship and celebration; religious education; environmental justice; and sustainable living. In addition to its 21.5 kW solar system, the Society has undertaken many energy-efficient measures, such as a lighting retrofit. Its educational campaign on recycling and composting, humorously called “Trash Talking” has resulted in an impressive $630 reduction in waste bills monthly.

First UU’s efforts go past their front door and into the social arena. They are very strong on advocacy for climate and energy policy, and participated in San Francisco’s Moving Planet Day of Climate Action.

CIPL applauds all finalists in the 2011 Energy Oscars and thanks them for their contribution to a healthier, brighter future.

Thanks to our 2011 sponsors:

Terawatt ($1000 and above)

New Resource Bank • Pacific Gas and Electric Company • San Francisco Zen Center

Gigawatt ($500)

Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions • Next Generation • Tom & JaMel Perkins

Megawatt ($250)

Rev. Earl Koteen, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry • St. Ignatius Parish, San Francisco
Rabbi Marvin Goodman, Northern California Board of Rabbis • The Beatitudes Society
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Oakland • SunPower • St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Orinda
Environmental Defense Fund • Bank of the West

Kilowatt ($100)

Lutheran Office of Public Policy • Progressive Christians Uniting • Union of Concerned Scientists
Catholic Charities Stockton • Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, North Hollywood
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek • St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, Berkeley
St. Ambrose Episcopal Church, Foster City • Niles Congregational Church, Fremont
The Vote Solar Initiative • Energy Upgrade California

Check out the great time we had in 2010!

The 4^th Annual CIPL Energy Oscars, held on November 9^th at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, was an especially exciting night, as we also celebrated the 10th anniversary of CaliforniaInterfaith Power and Light. On that night we gathered to honor some of the most outstanding congregations that have led the fight against climate change. Ed Begley, Jr., did a fabulous job as M.C., sharing the personal story of his efforts to live more sustainably, and presenting beautiful trophies to the winners. We think you’ll be inspired to read about the accomplishments of the winners and finalists.

“Spurred on by a desire to preserve God’s creation, an increasing number of Jewish, Muslim and Christian houses of worship have adopted solar. So begins Photon USA’s article, “God’s Original Energy Source.” The article gives an excellent overview of the current theolgical understanding of Earth care, such as “stewardship vs. dominion”  as well as particular challenges that arise in the faith community in acquiring solar. It is replete with excellent pictures and is a fascinating read. Check it out here.

“All good things come to [those] who wait,” says the Book of Proverbs.  That is the case with state legislation supported by California Interfaith Power and Light this year. Our priority bill, SB 535 (Kevin deLeon) would have created a Community Benefit Fund in which disadvantaged communities would have been eligible for a portion of revenues generated from implementation of AB 32, California’s landmark global warming reduction act.  Unfortunately, the bill’s author and the Speaker of the Assembly held political differences and SB 535 was held in Assembly Appropriations Committee.

A similar fate awaited AB 591 (Bob Wieckowski).  This bill would have required oil and gas producers to disclose what chemicals they are using when they engage in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”  Fracking involves shooting high-pressured sand, water, and a mix of chemicals into the ground to break up rock and release the gas hidden inside.  Unfortunately, those chemicals may contaminate groundwater. AB 591 was held in Senate Appropriations Committee and will be taken up next year.

AB 650 (Bob Blumenfield) would have created a Blue Ribbon Task Force on Public Transportation, an essential prerequisite to finding reliable funding options for public transportation in California.  AB 650 would have appropriated $750,000 from the Public Transportation Account, already funded from the sales tax on diesel fuel.  AB 650 made it all the way through the legislative process but was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown.

CIPL plans to work with our environmental justice, clean air, and public transportation allies to pass SB 535 and AB 591 in the upcoming 2012 legislative session.

Public Goods Charge

The Public Goods Charge is a 1.5% fee attached to electricity bills. The funds are managed through the California Energy Commission (CEC) as well as the California Public Utilities Commission (PCUC.) The funds go to vital clean energy programs in the states, including research and technology development, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency programs. One such program is the Public Interest Energy Research, or PIER program through the CEC. It is funds such as these that have kept Califonina a leader in renewable energy and the clean tech sector.

The California legislature decided not to extend the fee, which is now set to expire December 31, 2011. Governor Brown, a strong proponent of energy efficiency and a sustainable economy, has asked the Public Utilities Commission to look at administrative ways to retain the charge. One organization that is working tirelessly on extending the Public Goods Charge is the Union of Concerned Scientists. CIPL supports the extension and the work of UCS. Currencntly, this issue is in the hands of the PUC.

Overview of 2011 California Lobby Day:

On June 15, 20 faith advocates from all around California joined CIPL in its annual Lobby Day. Folks from all over California – notably, a first-time contingent from Fresno, met with 40 legislative offices and representatives, urging them to support three pieces of legislation – AB 591, AB 650 and SB 535.

All of these bills address our goals of reducing global warming pollution, protecting public health, and supporting vulnerable communities in California. SB 535, the California Communities Healthy Air Revitalization Trust, will direct a portion of revenues from the implementation of AB 32 to disadvantaged communities disproportionately hit by resource extraction and climate change effects. The funding could go to programs like community cooling centers, which will be increasingly necessary as we experience more and more extreme heat days, and energy efficiency retrofits to save energy and money for low-income households. This bill is similar to AB 1405, which passed both houses last year but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

AB 591 will require oil and gas producers to disclose what chemicals are being used in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” This process, which extracts oil and gas from shale deposits, is being increasingly used to expand production. Fracking has been implicated in ground water contamination in the Eastern U.S., as dramatically documented in the film Gasland, where a flame held to a stream from a water faucet causes the water to ignite.

AB 650 would establish a Blue Ribbon Task Force on Public Transportation to look into sustainable funding options for public transit around the state. The task force would be made up of citizen volunteers with diverse areas of expertise, from business to labor to finance. Public transit budgets have been slashed all over the state, and finding new funding options in essential for maintaining reliable mass transit in California.

A group of advocates met with Senator Curren Price of Los Angeles: from left, Mark Carlson, Andy Moss, Deacon Margaret McCauley, Senator Price, Betty Dean Anderson, Felton Anderson, Allis Druffel, Steve Fox

As with the national IPL Lobby Day, a strong take-away message was that representatives must hear from their constituents, whether they are in agreement or not. The message of the faith community was spoken loud and clear – that, contrary to any “self-interest” goals, the faith community works on behalf of the common good, especially those who are most vulnerable in society.

The fundamental basis for support of the bills, that is, faith-based principles, came alive in the meetings. Andy Moss, a faith advocate from Temple Isaiah’s Green Team in Los Angles, reflected that “Individual pieces of legislation – however complex in their nature and scope – became expressions of living values: the value of a common good; the value of transparency in public life; and the value of environmental justice.”

Faith advocates from Southern California, from left: Steve Fox, Deacon Margaret McCauley, Peter Bergstrom, Rev. Maria Tafoya and Andy Moss

It was standing room only at LADWP/L.A. City Council public hearing on June 4, 2011

On Saturday, June 4, a first-ever public meeting was held with the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Commissioners, General Manager Ron Nichols and the Energy & Environment Committee of the L.A. City Council. What made this meeting ground-breaking was that it included the public in a discussion of LADWP’s Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) and possible rate hikes associated with the Plan.

Rev. Dr. Bob Shore-Goss addresses rally participants on June4, 2011

A coalition of faith and environmental supporters turned out for a rally before-hand. An impressive number of supporters were from the Sierra Club and Greenpeace. Rev. Bob Shore-Goss from MCC in the Valley spoke at both the rally and hearing. Rev. Dr. Bob Shore-Goss, Pastor of MCC in the Valley, North Hollywood, spoke both at the rally and meeting. He brought up a sense of urgency in terms of human-induced climate change and its on-going effects globally, and DWP’s difficult process with commercial solar.

In the meeting itself, some 60 persons came to the podium to offer public comments. The overall message of the day: LADWP needs to commit to being coal-free by 2020. There were variations on this theme: coal is the most expensive energy; L.A. is powering its city at the cost of public health and livelihood of folks in Utah and Arizona; the actions of LADWP, the largest public owned utility in the nation, must be guided by their ratepayers; it is irresponsible to stay dependent on a dirty source when renewable energy is available now; and L.A. has the opportunity to be a leader in national utility standards.

The assembled urged its city leaders to understand and to transmit a sense of urgency in the issue of coal, highlighting its deleterious effects, the danger of relying on a finite, non-renewable source, and the science and effects of climate change. Several commenters brought up extreme national weather events, with one man proclaiming “Remember Joplin.”

A volunteer signs up a supporter of the "Coal Free by 2020" coalition

In her comments, Southern California Outreach Director Allis Druffel brought a message from Interfaith Power & Light Utah Director Stephen Trimble. Because of LADWP’s planned use of coal from Utah’s Intermountain Power Project until 2027, 200 Utah residents will continue to die each year. Two million Utah citizens who live in the vicinity of IPP will continue to suffer from some of the worst air quality in the nation with its accompanying health effects.

A poignant statement was given by 10-year-old Darrio, a student of the Los Angeles Unified School District and member of Coalition for Educational Justice. He urged the city leaders to go coal-free by 2020, citing the scientific evidence between global warming and extreme weather events such as tornadoes.

Add your voice in urging the LADWP to be coal-free by contacting the members of L.A. City Council’s Energy & Environment committee: Jan Perry, Chair, (District 9) –  (213) 473-7009; Tony Cardenas,  (District Eight) – (213) 473-7006; Richard Alarcon (District 7) – (213) 473-7007; Paul Koretz (District 5) – (213) 473-7005; and Paul Krekorian (District 2) – (213) 473-7002.

Concerned citizens urged LADWP and L.A. City Council members to act with a sense of urgency.

Unplug electronics, battery chargers and other equipment when not in use.

If all Californians unplugged electronics when not in use, it would be like taking 120,000 cars off road.

You can use power strips really effectively by turning off the whole power strip when you are not using electronics and appliances.