Interfaith Power & Light » State Press Clips

The Starpress: Interfaith group wants religious community to think green

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:28:00 +0000

One of the newest statewide chapters, Hooiser Interfaith Power & Light, had a workshop on January 21st that explained the connection between faith and religion. ”Poverty is something that people of faith have been working on for a long time,” Hooiser IPL founder Jennifer Rice-Snow said. “It’s a newer thing to see that when we have faith in the creator, we have a responsibility for the creation. I see a lot of people who don’t go to church taking a lot of leadership in taking care of the Earth. I have a lot of respect for that. I’d like to see our faith-based communities step up to that.”

Full Article

Oseye T. Boyd, 19 January 2012

Erie Times News: Program in Meadville to help congregations become energy efficient

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:18:06 +0000

Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light will be working with various religious groups in the Meadville area to help make their places of worship more financially and environmentally energy efficient. Nickell, a PAIPL board member, said the motivation for people of faith to care about being energy efficient and preventing climate change is twofold: ”First is reverence for God’s creation and concern for the harm to species and habitat that we see occurring because of a warming climate,” she said. “The second is related to justice, since those on the margins of society, who are least responsible for climate change, are most affected by the changes it will bring, such as floods, drought, rising sea levels and extreme storms.”

Full Article

Dana Massing, 21 January 2012

Blinded by Sound: Jazz Review: Jamie Ousley-A Sea of Voices

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:11:46 +0000

Jamie Ousley, named “Best South Flordia Jazz Musician of 2011,” produced his album A Sea of Voices, as a project to benefit the environment. Working with the Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light has given him the opportunity to expand on his love for playing jazz in churches while helping an environmental mission that is important to him. “Here, I could combine the worlds of diverse faiths and jazz to benefit a common cause that we can all unite behind: care of our planet!” Ousley says.

Full Article

Jordan Richardson, 12 January 2012

Centre Daily Times: Join moral leaders and put faith in clean air-opinion

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:10:09 +0000

In this piece, Brockopp recognizes Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light and local congregations as movers in the Clean Air Promise. He writes, “Pennsylvanians can do nothing to prevent earthquakes in Haiti, but local congregations are trying to prevent the worst effects of climate change by reducing their use of fossil fuels and by helping poor countries become more resilient. Because we use so much energy in our cars, houses and factories, our efficient use of precious resources can have a significant effect on the world.”

Full Article

Jonathan Brockopp, 3 January 2012

Delaware Online: Planting the seeds for a greener world, Interfaith Power & Light focuses on conservation

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:15:32 +0000

John Sykes, organizer of Delaware Interfaith Power & Light, recognizes a moral imperative to use renewable energy in place of fuels that contribute to climate change. “If we can save by conserving energy,” he says, “there’s more money to do the work of the church…I think we have a window of opportunity to make change but time is running out. I worry that, if we do nothing, we will really suffer.”

Full Article

Gary Soulsman, 31 December 2011

Hartford Courant: Vernon Church Wins Recognition For Environmental Efforts

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:24:26 +0000

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon, Connecticut, recently received a $1000 grant from Interfaith Power & Light’s “Cool Congregation Challenge.” St. John’s participated in a six-week local affiliate Interfaith course called “This Old House of Worship” to figure out how to less their energy use. They swapped out old lighting, thermostats and cut their electricity used by 22 percent. The Rev. Virginia Army, rector of St. John’s, said, “I think it is an important witness. Look at what it’s doing outside now. It’s December and it’s in the 60s. I think the earth is groaning and it’s time for us to be paying attention.”

Full Article

Susan Campbell, 28 December 2011

The Republic: S.Ind. Jewish congregation honored by national group for inspiriting members to cut power use

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:57:27 +0000

Congregation Beth Shalom of Bloomington, Indiana was recognized as one of four congregations chosen by Interfaith Power & Light for a $1,000 prize in its Cool Congregations Challenge. More than one-third of the congregation’s households cut their energy use by at least one seventh, with some finding ways to slice their electricity use nearly 40 percent.

Full Article

22 December 2011

South Kingston Patch: Locals React to Deepwater Turbine Plans

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:22:39 +0000

Erin Tiernan discusses questions and suggestions for Deepwater Wind’s proposal for underground transmission lines that would link the turbines to the mainland in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Green energy advocate Liz Marsis, director of Rhode Island Interfaith Power and Light, writes, “I think the education of local people to where the power lines are and what studies were done to take care of endangered species, how they are moving the power and why this is a good place is important,” she said. “It’s responsible corporate behavior to take the time to talk with the community.”

Full Article

Erin Tiernan, 19 December 2011

Center for American Progress: Faith on the Front Lines of Climate Protection, An Interview with Joelle Novey

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:21:54 +0000

In this interview with Sally Steenland. Joelle Novey, executive director of Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light, shares the work and history of Interfaith Power & Light, the value faith based groups bring to discussions on climate change, and the Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light’s involvement in speaking out against the Keystone XL pipeline.

Full Article

Sally Steenland, 15 December 2011

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Interfaith conference promotes environmental justice

admin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:20:06 +0000

Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light was one of six sponsors for The Environmental Group of Wisconsin’s interfaith environmental program entitled, “Environmental Justice: A Human Rights Issue.” This free event included Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives on a host of environmental issues.

Full Article

Annysa Johnson, 07 December 2011