New York Interfaith Power & Light

November 23, 2013

Plastic Bags and Climate Change? Who Knew?

Sea birds choking on plastic. Sea bass sex hormones messed up by dioxin from plastic. Ocean ecosystems overwhelmed by plastic bags. Highway medians and shoulders and city sidewalks littered with plastic bags. But who knew that that plastic bags contributed to climate change?

About six percent of the world’s oil is used for producing plastic. Producing and incinerating plastic takes about 6 pounds of CO2. Recycling of plastic saves on average about 2.5 lb of CO2 per lb of plastic. Thus recycled plastic produces about 3.5 lb CO2 compared to 6 lb of CO2 for new plastic.

New Yorkers can recycle plastic at their grocery stores and certain other retailers. Not just plastic grocery bags but also the plastic bread bags, cereal bags, frozen food bags, and produce bags with ALL food residue removed, as well as plastic stretch/shrink wrap with food residue removed. Also recyclable, those plastic bags that dry-cleaning and newspapers come in and the plastic wrap that comes on rolls of toilet paper and such. For a full list you can print out and stick up on your refrigerator see the NYDEC website. And you can just remember to re-use your own bags.

November 23, 2013November 23, 2013

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

What is liquefied natural gas (LNG)?

Liquefied natural gas is natural gas that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport. To convert it to a liquid form, it must be cooled to minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Natural gas is converted to a liquid in order to transport it more easily in places where there are no pipelines. Liquefied natural gas takes up less space. So, it makes it much easier to export.

Why am I hearing about this now?

The natural gas industry is pressuring local governments to build new infrastructure that will allow them to ship natural gas overseas.

For the past 40 years, there has been a de-facto ban on LNG in New York State. Before the ban can be lifted, the state assembly requires rules for siting and operating them. Recently the Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed rules to permit “safe siting, construction, and operation” of LNG facilities and transportation in the state.

Why should I oppose LNG?

We should oppose LNG facilities and transportation for several reasons.

It will increase the demand for fracked natural gas.
To super-cool it to a liquid form requires a great amount of carbon-intensive energy, doing more damage to the climate.
It is hazardous and accidents can happen. An explosion in 1973 killed 40 workers on Staten Island.
Routine venting allows methane gas into the atmosphere, which is a problem because over a one-hundred-year time span, the global warming potential of methane is about 34 times that of carbon dioxide.
It is a distraction from investing in renewables and conservation.

How can I oppose LNG?

The DEC is accepting comments from the public until December 4, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

November 23, 2013

An Open Letter to Governor Cuomo on Liquefied Natural Gas

October 28, 2013

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Subject: Proposed 6 NYCRR Part 570 – Regulation of Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities

Dear Gov. Cuomo:

New York Interfaith Power & Light is a non-profit organization representing 98 congregations of all faiths across the state of New York. We regularly communicate with more than two thousand people via email. We are a part of the national Interfaith Power and Light campaign with chapters in 40 states. This movement addresses climate change from a faith perspective.

In commenting on the proposed regulations for LNG facilities, we will not comment on the many serious inadequacies of the rules from a standpoint of health and safety, for we know that respondents with more expertise will have already done so. As an organization concerned with climate change, we will comment on the rules only as they relate to the risk of climate disruption. The operation of LNG facilities of any size and the use of the fuel that they store will contribute to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases.

This process of rule making has been delayed for many years since the enabling legislation was passed in 1976. We do not see a pressing need to go forward at this time, just as the human contribution to climate change has been affirmed at a 95% confidence level by the world’s climate scientists.

The Board of Directors of New York Interstate Power and Light urges you to withdraw these proposed regulations, which are inadequate to the ethical challenge we face by promoting the use of fossil fuels. There are no “clean” fossil fuels other than those left in the ground.

Our state has shown climate leadership in many matters, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the promotion of renewable energy and energy conservation by NYSERDA. Let us continue to do so.

On behalf of NYIPL,

Janna Stieg Watkins
Executive Director

October 19, 2013October 19, 2013

Research Proves that Energy Efficiency Is A Prime Economic Driver for Local Economies

We are congregations motivated to serve God through creation stewardship as well as active stewardship to those with the most needs.

A white paper released by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE – www.aceee.org) demonstrates through hard figures that energy efficiency generates equal or better local economic benefit, and provides better job opportunities, than traditional fossil fuel development. The new paper, “Energy efficiency and Economic Opportunity Fact Sheet” provides the following facts:

Fact 1: Energy efficiency provides a positive value chain through local economies. Companies that provide services for energy efficiency – energy assessments, weatherization, insulation services, and more – reduce energy bills for local consumers while generating income for themselves. Local dollars stay significantly local instead of traveling out of state. Dollars saved by consumers are then spent locally elsewhere, which adds an additional ripple effect.
Fact 2: Energy efficiency serves the poor. Economic analysis by ACEEE shows that for each $1 spent on improved weatherization of homes and apartment buildings generates $2.53 of positive cash impact within a low-income community.
Fact 3: Local workers and local businesses benefit from energy efficiency. Each $1 avoided being spent on utility costs is shown by the ACEEE to create 2.24 times positive cash impact on the local community.
Fact 4: Energy efficiency jobs create accessible jobs to low-credentialed workers. Of all energy efficiency jobs, 48% are estimated to be filled by people with limited credentials (education, work experience, and similar) as compared to an estimated 42% of utility sector jobs.
Fact 5: Further, energy efficiency jobs are better paying. ACEEE estimates that 29% of energy efficiency jobs have above average earnings for low-credentialed employees compared to an estimated 13% of fossil fuel sector jobs.

How can you use this information? Share these white paper results with your local assemblymen and state senators as you present your views on interests and concerns on energy development and energy use in your community. In local community discussions, bring a copy of this white paper as you raise these facts to allow people to see that support of home weatherization, energy efficiency programs, and enforcement of building energy codes provides a positive economic impact to your community.

October 16, 2013May 7, 2014

How Hot Will It Get In Your Lifetime?

September 25, 2013September 26, 2013

How Many Presbyterians Does It Take…

Q: How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?

A: It should require about five committees to review the idea first. If each is staffed with half a dozen members, that’s what…30?

Most mainline religious denominations have developed policies related to energy and climate change. How have they gone about this and what are the likely effects? Recent research on the Presbyterian Church (USA) explores this question. The anthropologist who did the archival research and interviews was attracted by the apparent contradiction between the Presbyterian reputation for political conservatism and the denomination’s bold initiative in 2005 to ask its members, congregations, and institutions to strive to become carbon neutral.

The carbon neutral initiative came out of work on the denomination’s updated energy policy, The Power to Change, adopted in 2008. The earlier energy policy was formulated in 1981, The Power to Speak Truth to Power . A 1990 environmental policy Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice had emphasized the significance of climate change and made policy recommendations related to it. All of these policies are grounded not only in understanding of science but also in theological and Biblical study by teams of ministers, elders, and members. While not necessarily binding on individual members, they direct the advocacy efforts and investments of the denominational staff.

Two papers on the research by Patricia K. Townsend, a NYIPL board member, were published this summer. They included a book chapter in How the World’s Religions are Responding to Climate Change: Social Scientific Investigations. The volume was edited by Robin Globus Veldman, Andrew Szasz and Randolph Haluza-DeLay, and published by Routledge (2014).

An article on the research was published as “Energy Policy in American Faith Communities: ‘The Power to Change’” in the anthropology journal Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment, Vol. 35, Issue 1, June, 2013. The editors of the special issue of CAFE, Stephanie Paladino and Jeanne Simonelli, began the special issue on anthropology and energy with a quote from Townsend’s paper of the words of Margaret Mead, writing in 1976, about the plutonium question of that time, but is equally relevant to today’s energy decisions: “These are hazards so grave that every citizen should have a voice in deciding whether this is the road to energy independence we—or anyone—should take….”

September 25, 2013September 25, 2013

Take Twenty Minutes to Learn How to Save Energy!

On the next two Tuesday evenings, New York Interfaith Power & Light is offering free webinars on energy efficiency.

“Residential Energy Efficiency” will be held on October 1st at 7:00 p.m., and will walk you through the steps improving energy efficiency in your home, beginning with an energy assessment.

“The Link Between Creation Stewardship and Economic Development” will be held on October 8th at 7:00 p.m., and will look at how renewables and energy efficiency help job growth and economic development.

Both webinars are free and feature Ed Smyth, NYIPL board member and a principal consultant with DNV KEMA Energy and Sustainability. To register for one or both, contact NYIPL at (315) 256-0078 or jswatkins@nyipl.org.

August 2, 2013August 2, 2013

Gina McCarthy Confirmed as EPA Administrator

In a 59 to 40 vote, the Senate confirmed Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator. McCarthy, who previously served as the head of the EPA’s air and radiation office, has shown a commitment to address global warming as well as curb other pollutants like mercury and soot.

The Rev. Canon Sally Bingham, President of Interfaith Power and Light, said “[McCarthy’s] appointment is great news for Americans’ health and environment, and for the implementation of the president’s climate plan.”

“As Assistant Administrator for EPA’s office of Air and Radiation, Mc. McCarthy led the development of some of the EPA’s strongest safeguards, including carbon pollution standards for power plants, the first carbon limits for vehicles, and lifesaving updates of standards that limit soot, mercury, and air toxics” she continued. “IPL and its 40 affiliates look forward to working with her.”

August 2, 2013August 2, 2013

National United Church of Christ Divests from Fossil Fuels

The United Church of Christ, a protestant Christian denomination known for their progressive stances on social justice issues, resolved in July to divest from fossil fuels.

The Reverend Jim Antal, UCC minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, led the effort to divest.

“As soon as I read Bill McKibben’s Rolling Stone article on the terrifying math of global warming it was clear to me that the church needed to provide leadership” he said. For more of Jim Antal’s thoughts, click here.

There are numerous investment resources for individuals and congregations who would like to use their money to push for clean energy future.

Global Ecologic Fund EPENX

The Global Ecologic Fund is a new mutual fund, and part of the faith-based Epiphany Funds family. The managers of the Global Ecologic Fund invest in firms that are building more ecologic infrastructure. Companies in the mutual fund provide fair trade food and products, pollution control, rail and bike infrastructure, efficient clean water systems, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and energy storage, and other ecological solutions. SEC registered.

Clean Energy Victory Bonds

Clean Energy Victory Bonds would extend proven government programs that create clean energy and jobs, including the Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit, for a decade. The funds raised from the bonds would also help homeowners make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes and purchase plug-in and electric cars. The bonds will help ensure American competitiveness in the growing clean energy and transportation industries and will help create over 1.7 million jobs throughout the United States.

Proxy Preview 2013

Proxy Preview is a report that helps shareholders vote their values.

Ceres

Investing with climate change in mind. Ceres mobilizes a powerful network of investors, companies and public interest groups to accelerate and expand the adoption of sustainable business practices and solutions to build a healthy global economy.

Solar Mosaic

Empowering the public to invest in and benefit from clean energy, Mosaic is an online marketplace that enables people to invest in solar projects for as little as $25 and earn competitive returns. Mosaic’s mission is to open up clean energy investing to the public and fundamentally change the way energy is financed. The Mosaic team believes that the best way to grow the clean energy economy is by allowing more people to participate in it and benefit from it.

Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility is the pioneer coalition of active share owners who view the management of their investments as a catalyst to promote justice and sustainability in the world.