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New Online Store Offers Affordable Energy Efficiency Solutions for Congregations and Their Members

Coverage of ShopIPL.org in Grist

ShopIPLlogoEPA Grant Funds Collaborative Approach to Online Store Aimed at Faith Communities

Austin, TX -- Texas Interfaith Power & Light (TXIPL) today announced the launch of “ShopIPL.org,” an online store designed to help faith communities and their members reduce global warming and air pollution through energy efficiency. TXIPL is one of 23 “Interfaith Power & Light” organizations throughout the country that are collaborating to bring energy efficiency and climate stewardship to local faith communities.

There are more than 300,000 houses of worship in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that if those congregations reduced their energy consumption by 10 percent it would prevent the release of more than 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of removing 400,000 cars from the road. EPA supports the development and maintenance if ShopIPL.org through a multi-year grant to Interfaith Power & Light.

Bee Moorhead, director of TXIPL said, “Faith communities throughout Texas are concerned about global warming and air pollution, and they want to take action…but in many cases they aren’t sure what action to take. Energy efficiency is a great place to start because for a small investment, a family or congregation can clear the air and save money at the same time.” Founder and director of national Interfaith Power & Light, Reverend Sally G. Bingham, said “Everyone has a stake and a role in reducing global warming emissions. Working together people of faith can lead the way and we can change history.”

On ShopIPL, congregations can buy proven energy efficiency products for their house of worship including an array of compact fluorescent light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, water heater timers, and weatherization products and more at substantially discounted prices. Members can order products for their own homes and businesses through the congregation, and youth groups or other congregational ministries can use the site to conduct fundraisers. ShopIPL.org is a useful resource for consumers who are new to the idea of energy efficiency because the site includes detailed descriptions of products and explains how they save energy.

Deer Park United Methodist Church recently made a purchase at ShopIPL.org. “Energy efficiency is an important part of becoming a ‘green congregation’, which is a commitment our church has made. ShopIPL is easy to use for churches because it functions a lot like the fair trade coffee programs many congregations participate in already”, said The Reverend T. Randall Smith, Senior Pastor at Deer Park.

Nancy Benthien is a geologist and environmental advocate as well as a parishioner at Covenant Lutheran Church in Houston. She ordered a lamp and compact fluorescent light bulbs at ShopIPL.org to save energy in her home. “The experience was great. The site is easy to navigate and the items arrived at my door in a few short days. I am recommending this website to individuals and congregations alike for ‘green’ appliances and equipment.”

A portion of sales at ShopIPL.org are passed on to the state IPL organizations. Nathan Melson of Sloans Creek Farm in Dodd City has a small farm business raising grass-fed beef, goat, sheep, and pastured pork. He says he made the choice to use ShopIPL instead of a chain store for his energy efficiency needs because it met his personal and business goals. “I support the creation care work Texas IPL is doing and believe God wants us to be good stewards of what we’re given. ShopIPL makes good business sense and serves the creation,” said Melson.

ShopIPL.org is a partnership between Interfaith Power & Light and Energy Federation, Inc., one of the leading residential distributors of energy efficiency-related products in the United States.

For more information on the national IPL movement, visit http://www.theregenerationproject.org