Please respond to this Justice in a Changing Climate (JCC) Poll of the Congregation
Background:
Part of the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force* commitment is to help CUCC “change our practices” to slow climate change. Decreasing CUCC’s energy consumption will help because it would decrease our fossil fuel consumption, our CO2 production and the need for hydrofracking.
Toward that end, the task force was asked at the 2012 congregational retreat to investigate installation of solar panels on our fellowship hall roof.
CUCC uses about 18000 kwh of electricity per year for lights, appliances and air conditioning. This costs us about $2200 per year. With solar panels, we would be able to supply about 55 % (about 10,000 kwh) of our electricity with a 10KW solar array. The cost of a 10KW system would be about $55,000. The cost of a 5 KW system would be about half of that.
But beyond the savings in money and CO2, having those solar panels on our roof would be a tangible sign to the world outside about what kind of a congregation we are. Just as our rainbow comma attracted new members interested in equal rights for LGBT folks, solar panels would speak to those with a passion for environmental issues who might be seeking a spiritual home. As stated by North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light: "The sight of solar panels on a house of worship becomes an iconic marker to the broader community, a demonstration of the congregation’s love of the Creator and creation, and it shows a commitment to change our relationship to energy."
Funding possibilities:
Limited Liability Corporation: If the 10 KW system is funded as a LLC, federal and NC tax credits reduce the cost to about $25000 for the investors, and other benefits may reduce the cost to about $9000. The investors could expect to recoup their investment in 6 to 8 years.
With this background, the Justice in a Changing Task Force wants to know whether the congregation would like us to continue investigating installing solar panels at CUCC.
Poll questions:
1. Would you like to see CUCC continue to investigate solar panels?
2. Would you be interested in learning more about becoming a LLC investor?
3. Would you be interested in donating to the purchase of panels?
4. Do you have other comments?
Please return your written responses by March 10 to any of the JCC members*, email or mail them to Gary Smith or turn them in at the church office.
*Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force members: Lena Gallitano, Pastor Steve Halsted, Ron Howell, Marty Lamb, Deborah and Todd Lipman, John Little, Grady McCallie, David Smith, Gary (chair) and Jane Smith, Jim Smith, Skip Stoddard, Edith Sylla and Karen Vollrath
Background:
Part of the Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force* commitment is to help CUCC “change our practices” to slow climate change. Decreasing CUCC’s energy consumption will help because it would decrease our fossil fuel consumption, our CO2 production and the need for hydrofracking.
Toward that end, the task force was asked at the 2012 congregational retreat to investigate installation of solar panels on our fellowship hall roof.
CUCC uses about 18000 kwh of electricity per year for lights, appliances and air conditioning. This costs us about $2200 per year. With solar panels, we would be able to supply about 55 % (about 10,000 kwh) of our electricity with a 10KW solar array. The cost of a 10KW system would be about $55,000. The cost of a 5 KW system would be about half of that.
But beyond the savings in money and CO2, having those solar panels on our roof would be a tangible sign to the world outside about what kind of a congregation we are. Just as our rainbow comma attracted new members interested in equal rights for LGBT folks, solar panels would speak to those with a passion for environmental issues who might be seeking a spiritual home. As stated by North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light: "The sight of solar panels on a house of worship becomes an iconic marker to the broader community, a demonstration of the congregation’s love of the Creator and creation, and it shows a commitment to change our relationship to energy."
Funding possibilities:
Limited Liability Corporation: If the 10 KW system is funded as a LLC, federal and NC tax credits reduce the cost to about $25000 for the investors, and other benefits may reduce the cost to about $9000. The investors could expect to recoup their investment in 6 to 8 years.
- This would require 6 investors to invest about $10,000 each to form and maintain the LLC.
- After they recoup their investment, the investors would donate the system to CUCC, and the church would then see lower electric bills.
- This mechanism would allow for many small donors to make up the $55,000.
- Under this mechanism, CUCC would see lower electric bills from day one.
With this background, the Justice in a Changing Task Force wants to know whether the congregation would like us to continue investigating installing solar panels at CUCC.
Poll questions:
1. Would you like to see CUCC continue to investigate solar panels?
2. Would you be interested in learning more about becoming a LLC investor?
3. Would you be interested in donating to the purchase of panels?
4. Do you have other comments?
Please return your written responses by March 10 to any of the JCC members*, email or mail them to Gary Smith or turn them in at the church office.
*Justice in a Changing Climate Task Force members: Lena Gallitano, Pastor Steve Halsted, Ron Howell, Marty Lamb, Deborah and Todd Lipman, John Little, Grady McCallie, David Smith, Gary (chair) and Jane Smith, Jim Smith, Skip Stoddard, Edith Sylla and Karen Vollrath