A Faith-Based Organization Taking Action on Climate Change
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) works to help members of Vermont's faith and spiritual communities understand that the climate crisis, which is threatening the world, is, at heart, a spiritual crisis. This spiritual crisis demands recognition that Earth is a precious gift; global climate change is a moral challenge; global climate change is disrupting the natural balance; we live our faith through our actions; and there is no peace without a planet.
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) seeks to empower members of faith and spiritual communities to advocate for our Earth and future generations. Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) helps people take action in their houses of worship, homes, and workplaces to conserve energy, use it efficiently, and increase the use of renewable energy.
Welcome to Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL)
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light Seeking New Board Members
If you have a passion for effecting climate change and understand religious or spiritual faith's connection to Earth stewardship you may be a candidate for Vermont Interfaith Power & Light's Board. Information about our current board and its work can be found below on our About Us page.
A detailed description of the position of a Board Member can be downloaded here:
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light Applauds Ascension Lutheran Church for National Energy Saving Award
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) applauds Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington for recently winning the top Energy Saver award of National Interfaith Power & Light’s (IPL) Cool Congregations Campaign for the congregation’s many upgrades over multiple years cutting their energy use and preventing 40 tons of carbon emissions annually.
Ascension Lutheran was a founding member of VTIPL, and through the leadership of its retired pastor, The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wright and members of its Care for Creation Committee, http://www.alcvt.org/ministries/care-for-creation.html, including Richard Butz and Sam Swanson, Ascension has achieved significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. National IPL congratulates Ascension Lutheran for its long-term dedication to leave a livable climate for future generations. Ascension Lutheran’s congregation considers their energy upgrade work a legacy to their children and grandchildren. Over 17 years, the Church has reduced its carbon footprint by 60% through energy-saving measures: upgrading lighting, heating and cooling, and ventilation systems; insulating the buildings; and purchasing solar from Bristol Community Solar. Central to the congregation’s ministry, they are known as a Creation Stewardship Congregation.
“The New England Synod is delighted that Ascension Lutheran Church has been selected as a Cool Congregation. The people of Ascension have long been leaders among our Lutheran congregations in matters of environmental action and advocacy. Our faith calls us to deep relationship with all of creation, inviting us into partnership with God in tending the fragile place we call home,” according to Rev. Steven Wilco, Associate to the Bishop, New England Synod, ELCA
The congregation’s building was constructed in the 1960’s and in serious need of energy upgrades. Beginning in 2005, The Care for Creation Committee shepherded a process of energy audits, applying for utility and VTIPL grants, seeking expert advice including an energy assessment from VTIPL, and embarking on a multi-year series of energy improvements. This process raised members’ consciousness about climate change and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the Church and in members’ daily lives.
The energy efficiency assessment from VTIPL provided a roadmap for embarking on a sustained energy efficiency project. With that initial guidance, Ascension Lutheran undertook multiple measures to meet their goals. With assistance from Efficiency Vermont, Ascension replaced incandescent lights first with compact fluorescent light bulbs and later with LED bulbs in over 120 fixtures; replaced two 30-year-old refrigerators; replaced incandescent exit lights with new LED fixtures.
Then in 2011, Ascension received a Vermont Community Climate Change Grant from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, committed their own funds, and obtained incentives from Vermont Gas and Efficiency VT to renovate an inefficient gas heating system.
After replacing the gas boiler, Ascension confronted the problem of keeping some sections of the church warm on winter days. In 2012, tests conducted by Vermont Gas led Ascension to invest in ceiling insulation and weather sealing improvements in its multi-purpose wing. They recently installed a state-of-the-art air handling system to meet COVID requirements, insulated water and heating pipes, and purchased 20 solar panels from community solar. They are preventing 40 tons of carbon emissions annually and saving approximately $2500 a year on energy bills.
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL), www.vtipl.org, is a Vermont 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to support Vermont’s faith and spiritual communities in taking action on climate change. VTIPL offers free energy assessments (walk-through audits) and a Climate Action Grant program providing matching grants to congregations. Grants can be used to obtain an energy audit by a professional organization providing estimates of costs and energy savings. Matching funds can support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, as well as projects that reduce carbon emissions but do not involve buildings. VTIPL’s two matching grant programs are the Ellie Cressey Webster Memorial Fund and the Katy Gerke Memorial Fund. These funds have been made possible by generous donations from the families of Ellie Cressey Webster and Katy Gerke, and other donors, including VTIPL Board members and staff.
VTIPL is also co-sponsoring a Faith Climate Action Day in Montpelier on March 29 to make legislators aware that faith and spiritual communities care very much about climate policies.
According to VTIPL Board President Ron McGarvey, “Ascension Lutheran’s accomplishments are the result of many years of energy saving projects and monitoring their resulting energy savings. It is great that Ascension has received the national recognition it deserves and that it serves as an example for other faith and spiritual communities in Vermont and across the U.S. that want to implement solutions to climate change.”
For further information about VTIPL, its programs and services, please contact:
Donna C. Roberts, Coordinator
email: info@VTIPL.org
P.O. Box 3095
Burlington, VT 05408
An Invitation to IPL's Cool Congregations Challenge
We’ve got an electric vehicle category for the Cool Congregations Challenge! This is a great way for you to enter to win if your congregation has promoted clean cars!
You’re invited to apply for the Cool Congregations Challenge for the chance to win $1,000.
The Cool Congregations Challenge is IPL’s annual national contest to recognize “Cool Congregations” that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models within their communities.
There are six entry categories:
- Energy Saver: Lighting, Insulation, Windows & Doors, Heating & Cooling Systems
- Renewable Role Model: Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Solar Water Heating
- Sacred Grounds: Native landscaping, Organic Gardening, Water Conservation, Bike Racks, Wildlife Habitats, Recycling & Composting
- Community Inspiration: Inspiring Congregants to Reduce at Home, Helping Communities Transition from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy, Helping Communities Prepare for the Impacts of Climate Change
- Cool Congregations Planner: Audits, Planning Reports, Fundraising
- Electric Vehicle Leader: EVs, Charging Stations, Education, Advocacy, Outreach
Learn more about the EV category and apply to win $1,000 here.
Three runner ups in each category will receive $500! Plus, $25 Lowe’s gift certificates to the first 50 qualified entries.
Projects can take place inside the worship space or other buildings, on the grounds, in congregants’ homes, or in the community.
We understand that COVID might have delayed your projects -- so once again IPL is expanding the timeframe eligibility for the Challenge. If your projects were completed in 2020, 2021, and 2022 your congregation is eligible to apply.
Thank you for leading the way in our call to care for Creation
Inflation Reduction Act & Direct Pay
to Congregations
We hear a lot these days about the Inflation Reduction Act (including a so-called "dirty side deal") the new federal legislation aimed at helping lessen the effects of climate change and health disparities, while reducing inflation. One important program for our readers features $30 billion in clean energy tax credits which, until recently, did not apply to non-profits including faith communities. Now, a “direct pay” program extends benefits to 501(c)3 organizations, including congregations, providing easier access to clean energy funds and tax credits when installing solar panels, wind turbines, or other eligible technologies on an eligible property. This not only reduces financing costs, but also opens the way for more community-owned solar.
The clean energy tax credit will remain at 30% for ten years. The direct payment feature also provides an additional 20% for low-income and affordable housing projects; the tax credit could cover 50% of the cost for these projects. For more information, see the Environmental and Energy Study Institute’s guide.
Town Hall on IRA with Vermont Delegation - October 18 - 12 to 1:00 p.m.
Join Vermont Businesses For Social Responsibility and staff from the offices of Senator Leahy, Senator Sanders, and Congressman Welch to explore what the IRA means for climate action, healthcare reform, and economic development in Vermont. Register here.
For another perspective on the impact of the IRA, read this commentary from the Sierra Club:
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/dark-side-inflation-reduction-act
Transition Time in Vermont
Calls Us to Reaffirm Our Commitment to Care for Our Home
Our Ongoing Programs
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL)’s Watershed Manuals
Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) has created two manuals, one with a Christian emphasis, “Congregational Watershed Discipleship Manual: Faith Communities as Stewards of the World’s Waters (1st Christian Edition)” and another with an interreligious emphasis, “Congregational Watershed Manual: Religious Communities as Stewards of the World's Waters (1st Interreligious Edition).”
In 2018, Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) joined with local organizations to create a model for watershed stewardship based on the experience of Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington, Vermont. The Reverend Dr. Nancy Wright, pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, and Richard Butz, a member of the church, are co-authors of the manuals.
These are high-resolution print copies, spiral-bound to lie flat conveniently. Print copies of these manuals are available through Pastor Nancy Wright. Contact her at pastornancy@alcvt.org.
The Katy Gerke Memorial Program
The Katy Gerke Memorial Program is a matching grant program created to honor the memory of Dr. Katy Gerke. it was established, endowed, and defined by her family and has been used over the years to make houses of worship more energy efficient.
The stipulations for the program and its availability are described at a dedicated page on this site: The Katie Gerke Memorial Program
On that page you will also find links to a downloadable brochure and application forms for energy assessment and energy efficiency projects.
For more information. about this program or to make a contribution toward establishing an additional grant please contact Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) Coordinator, Donna Roberts by email at info@vtipl.org.
Energy Assessments
One of the ways Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) helps congregations is by providing energy assessments of houses of worship and other religious buildings. The service is free to congregations that request this assistance. Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL) asks each participating congregation to commit to using the recommendations to guide their ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of their religious building. Send an email to info@vtipl.org for more information.
Residential Guide for Clean Heating
A new, free guide produced for the Vermont Public Service Department is now available to help homeowners navigate the process of heating and cooling their homes with clean energy. Look for detailed information on our Resources page
Faith and
Care for Earth
in Times of Covid-19
As people of faith, we begin with love for all, and are called to care for Creation.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our lives, our jobs, our schools and our worship.
Many things are opening up, but not like it was before, nor should we expect life to go "back to normal.”
In many ways, a new normal would be welcome - a more caring, sustainable way forward for all of humanity, and for all of life, reimagining what and who we value as essential.
Some faith communities are slowly returning to prior worship patterns, but others have chosen to continue to meet and to worship virtually. Each community needs to decide for itself how best to proceed.
Regardless of how we choose to worship, we must remember and reach out to thosewho have been impacted the most, especially the most vulnerable who have become even more so during the pandemic. They are all our neighbors.
Look on our RESOURCES page for words of inspiration and links to resources for returning to worship together.
Statements on the Murder of George Floyd, Racial Justice, and Environmental Justice
We at Vermont Interfaith Power and Light are deeply saddened and outraged at the latest in a series of despicable murders of black and brown people across our country - the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police and the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta. “Black Lives Matter” protests around this nation in response to these shootings are an expression of a built-up anger at injustice, frustration with the many forms of white supremacy that are inherent in our culture, and a deep longing for human dignity and justice for People of Color. The systemic racism that allows this kind of police brutality must stop and we must do our part. There can be no climate justice without racial justice. Around the world, people of color and people with fewer economic means - typically people of color - are those most affected by climate change, while contributing the least to the causes of the climate crisis. This is injustice. Issues of climate, economic and social justice are intrinsically interrelated. In recognition of this moment, we share some of the statements made in our movement as a response. It is our hope that they might deepen our thinking, raise our understanding, and prompt compassionate action.
Additional Statements can be found on our Resources page.
The national Interfaith Power and Light organization has created a new page on their site with resources to help make the connection between environmental justice and racial justice. Check it out at:
https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/public-policy/take-action/climate-justice-is-racial-justice/
Another Way to Make Your Voice Heard
Visit this site to design a postcard which they will send to your senators, representatives, and the governor, urging them to move our state to 100% renewable energy.
https://rev.ilovemy.solar/
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light is affiliated with the national organization, Interfaith Power and Light. Information about their work and connections to other state affiliates can be found on their website at
https://www.interfaithpowerandlight.org/
A flyer describing several IPL initiatives is available for your information and use:
IPL Programs
Climate Change and Health Documents
Changes to the website of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have raised concerns about the availability of educational materials related to the impact of climate change on human health. To be sure that they remain available, we have downloaded the documents and made them available. Below is a list of available pdf files that you can download.