The Interfaith Coalition on Energy

A Good Idea

Description

The Interfaith Coalition on Energy is comprised of The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia, and The Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia. Together these groups guide Philadelphia congregations to use measurably less energy, to purchase energy at lower cost, and to anticipate and prevent problems with mechanical and electrical systems within their buildings. ICE produces a quarterly newsletter that is sent to about 5,800 people. In addition, the Coalition conducts training workshops and energy audits of religious buildings.

Goal / Mission

The mission of the Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE) is to inspire congregations to reduce the costs of operating their facilities in order to create money for community service while practicing environmental stewardship.

Results / Accomplishments

Starting in 1980, ICE has worked with about 500 congregations in and around Philadelphia. They have also negotiated changes in electric and natural gas rates. The Coalition combined forces with the large downtown office buildings 1998 to successfully seek a low price for deregulated electricity for 1999. They have also gathered, analyzed and published a legacy of accurate information which can guide future congregations to use less energy, and which can be used to develop intelligent energy policy. Similar programs have been started in Arizona, North Carolina, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Cleveland and Buffalo.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
The Interfaith Coalition on Energy
Primary Contact
Andrew Rudin, Project Coordinator
Interfaith Coalition on Energy
7217 Oak Avenue
Melrose Park, PA 19027-3222
(215) 635-1122
andrewrudin@earthlink.net
http://www.interfaithenergy.com/
Topics
Environmental Health / Energy & Sustainability
Organization(s)
The Interfaith Coalition on Energy
Source
UN Habitat
Date of publication
2000
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Philadelphia, PA

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A Good Idea meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program funding source, program implementation steps and outcomes.
  2. The program evaluation is limited to descriptive measure(s) of success/accomplishment (i.e., program participation rates, number of services/education sessions/radio messages provided). Note: oftentimes, the program has been newly implemented and a program evaluation has not yet been conducted. Programs that have not yet been evaluated, but which show promise in improving health or quality of life, are classified as Good Ideas until an evaluation is conducted.