Welcome to Georgia Interfaith Power & Light! We are a nonprofit organization that works with faith communities on issues of energy conservation and creation care. We've got a lot of great information and advice for you on where your energy comes from and how you can be a responsible steward of creation. Not sure what any of this has to do with you? Check out Why Should I Care?
* ADVOCACY ALERTS!!! *
#1 - American Clean Energy & Security Act
The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) passed the House of Representatives on Friday, June 26. Thank you for contacting your congressperson! Work on climate legislation now goes to the Senate, where we are hopeful that it will be strengthened to better address needed cuts to carbon emissions. Thank you again for all your work!
#2 - Plant Washington Update
There are two new coal-fired power plants being proposed for Georgia. Coal is dirty business, due to both the pollution produced when coal is burned (mercury, carbon dioxide, toxic ash, and more) and to the destructiveness of coal mining practices, including mountaintop removal. Of the two proposed plants in Georgia, one of them, the Longleaf Plant proposed for Early County, is currently in litigation due to pollution concerns. The other, Plant Washington proposed for Washington County, is being planned by a consortium of EMCs (Electric Membership Cooperatives) called Power4Georgians.
Originally ten EMCs were part of this plan, but in the past month, four of those EMCs (Greystone, Jackson, Diverse, and Excelsior) have dropped out, raising questions about the financial viability of the project.
Unfortunately, the remaining 6 EMCs (Cobb, Snapping Shoals, Pataula, Upson, Central Georgia, and Washington) have so far indicated that they plan to move forward on the project. GIPL is working with a number of other groups, as part of Georgians for Smart Energy, to encourage alternatives to building new coal-fired power plants, including efficiency and renewable power generation.
What Can We Do?
1. If you are a customer of Greystone, Jackson, Diverse, or Excelsior EMC - write or call your EMC to thank them for pulling out of Plant Washington. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
2. If you are a customer of Cobb, Snapping Shoals, Pataula, Upson, Central Georgia, or Washington EMC - write or call your EMC to ask them to end their relationship with Power4Georgians and their plans to build a new coal-fired power plant. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
3. If you are a customer of another EMC - write or call your EMC to ask them not to join the effort to build Plant Washington. Get Your EMC Contact Info.
And anyone can help support the move toward clean renewable energy by buying green power blocks either from your local utility provider Georgia Power or Green Power EMC or through a national renewable energy provider - see Green-e for a list
* GIPPYs a Huge Success! *
Thank you so much to everyone who came out and made the 2008 GIPPYs our best ever! We had an amazing and inspiring Keynote Speaker in Angela Speir-Phelps and we honored some fabulous congregations: Antioch Baptist Church North, Temple Sinai - Our Power Award Winner, Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church - Our Light Award Winner, Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Our Trailblazer Award Winner, and Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church - Our Congregation of the Year! Pictures and more descriptions of the night will be up soon on our GIPPYs page.
*ShopIPL.org Update*
Discounts on ENERGY STAR appliances
through Sears!
As members of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, you are now able to purchase a select set of Sears energy efficient appliances at a reduced price. IPL's pdf guide lists the appliances that you may purchase through Sears at a special price. In order to get pricing, you must call the Sears support number listed on the first page of the pdf. You may go to your local Sears to see the appliances, but orders come from Sears commercial so you cannot purchase the appliances at the lower price at your local Sears store. (view pdf)
* Donate to GIPL! *
Please consider supporting Georgia Interfaith Power & Light with a financial contribution. If you make a gift in honor of a friend or family member, we will send them a beautiful notification card made of seeded paper that can be planted in the garden.
You can make a secure online donation via credit card, PayPal,
or online check by clicking here.
If you prefer mail, download a donation card and send it with your check made out to GIPL to PO Box 5866, Atlanta, GA 31107.
Thank you for your support!
* Green Your Holidays! *
GIPL now has a special page where you can find tips on how to green all your special celebrations! Visit our new Holidays Page to find out how to make your holiday season sustainable!
Georgia Interfaith Power & Light engages communities of faith in stewardship of God's Creation as a direct reflection of our faithfulness through worship, education, and the sustainable generation and efficient use of energy.
