Vision: A Carbon-Neutral Faith Community by Easter, 2011
This is a plan for our faith community to achieve zero carbon emissions by Easter, 2011. In response to our discernment that we are called to care lovingly for all creation, we commit to risking and trusting as we seek to experience love.
The plan is described here in five modules and scheduled in three phases.
The five modules are:
1) Engineering: Selecting systems, design, and equipment
2) Funding: Seeking and securing financial resources
3) Publicity: Sharing our story as a celebration of an experience of love and care
4) Public Policy: Mobilizing partners in advocacy for essential legislation
5) Behavior Alignment: Altering our lifestyle to match our spiritual principles
The three phases are:
Phase 1: July 1, 2008 – December 1, 2008, during which time we will install systems to provide our tenant, the New Meadows Day Care, with heat and hot water, and super-insulate the entire building, except the sanctuary.
Phase 2: December, 2008 – December, 2011, during which time we will support legislation, publicly share our progress, practice ever more sustainable behavior, develop funding, install photovoltaic panels, and explore wind and geothermal options.
Phase 3: January 2011 – April 24, 2011, during which time we will celebrate and expand our community’s experience of transformation to include the wider community.
Phase 1 (July – November, 2008)
Engineering
1) Hot Water (estimated cost $3,000)
On-demand electric hot water heater to supply hot water to kitchen, three main level bathrooms, and lower level school.
2) Air-seal and super-insulate walls to R33 and Roofs to R60 (estimated cost $63,000)
Re-frame walls to 20” thickness, add cellulose insulation
~Reframing involves new interior framing atop existing, adding cellulose, extending electrical and plumbing, re-sheetrocking and re-finishing.
o~Roof insulation involves hanging framing from roof to 40” thickness, adding cellulose
Energy Audit to identify priorities (estimated cost $2,000)
Air-seal and super-insulation will maintain 50-degree temperature with no heating.
3) Provide heat on lower level for school (estimated cost $12,000)
Repair or replace existing oil burner, upgraded for cold start, with primary loop, approximate cost, $ 10,000
or
Hallowell Acadia Air Handler ($7500) installation and duct work (estimated cost ($4,500).
4) Provide heat on main level (estimated cost $2,000)
Space heater(s) (especially kitchen for school)
5) Roof Preparation
Permanently repair roof leaks in preparation for insulating interior of the roof and mounting solar panels on the exterior (estimated cost $3,000)
6) Existing Radiators upper level (and lower level if replacing with Acadia Air Handler)
Remove, drain, or fill with anti-freeze.
Funding
Estimated cost of Phase 1 Engineering steps 1-5 is $85,000. Bath UCC 2008 budget provides $60,000 for heat system upgrade and fuel. Explore funding sources including gifts, grants, rebates, and loans for purchase of equipment and installation for Phases 1, 2, & 3.
Publicity
Through local media and word-of mouth, begin to develop public impression of the Carbon- neutral Faith Community Initiative as a matter of faith and spirituality, rooted in our discernment that “God calls us to care lovingly for all creation.” (Bath UCC Spiritual DNA)
Public Policy
Mobilize faith community partners to advocate for Mane Renewal Energy Sources Act (addressing feed-in tariff policies) in fall legislative session.
Behavior Alignment
Prepare partners and neighbors who use the building , principally Food Bank, Recovery Groups, and faith community partners, for cooler temperatures in the building during winter season. Work with Worship Team to train Chaplains for Home Worship 3 Sundays per month, December – April. (Concept: 20 Home Worship services 3 Sundays per month, Worship with Communion at the church 1 Sunday per month.)
Phase 2 (December, 2008-January, 2011)
Engineering
Install photovoltaic panels on roof to provide electricity for heating, lighting, and other electrical appliances, as well as surplus for sale.
Explore geothermal and wind generation possibilities.
Add Air Handlers (up to total of 3 or 4) and duct-work to heat main level.
Funding
Continue to develop funding sources including gifts, grants, rebates, and loans for purchase of equipment and installation for Phases 1, 2, & 3.
Explore possibility of adding a second story to the building to provide space for a rental tenant.
Publicity
Continue to develop our story of the Carbon neutral Faith Community Initiative as a matter of faith and spirituality, rooted in our discernment that “God calls us to care lovingly for all creation.” (Bath UCC Spiritual DNA)
Public Policy
Mobilize advocacy for public transportation and public policies that support sustainability.
Behavior Alignment
Expand our alignment with our spiritual principles beyond our use of the building, to include individual transportation and home heating choices.
Phase 3 (January – April 24, 2011)
Engineering
Upgrade for efficiency. Explore super-insulation of sanctuary.
Funding
Continue to develop funding sources including gifts, grants, rebates, and loans for purchase of equipment and installation for Phases 1, 2, & 3.
Continue to explore possibility of adding a second story to the building to provide space for a rental tenant.
Seek funds for sustainable bus for local transportation, especially as “Worship Wagon” for shared transportation to all places of worship.
Publicity
Invite everyone for an Easter (April 24) celebration of achieving carbon-neutral faith community.
Public Policy
Mobilize advocacy for public transportation and public policies that support sustainability.
Behavior Alignment
Celebrate achieving carbon-neutral faith community.
Share skills and wisdom gained through carbon-neutral initiative with other faith communities and organizations. Expand our alignment with our spiritual principles beyond our use of the building, to include individual transportation and home heating choices.