Green Lights to Green Zones

Green Lights to Green Zones
by Job Ebenezer

"Green Lights to Green Zones" reprinted by permission of the Department of Environmental Stewardship and Hunger Education, Division for Church in Society of the ELCA.

The Green Lights program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency has as its goal the prevention of pollution by encouraging major US institutions - businesses, governments, and other organizations - to use energy-efficient lighting. Because lighting is such a large consumer of electricity (about 25% of the national total) and so wasteful (more than half the electricity used for lighting is wasted by inefficient technology and design practices), the Green Lights program offers a substantial opportunity to prevent pollution, and to do so at a profit. Lighting upgrades reduce electric bills and maintenance costs, increase lighting quality and avoid pollutants emitted into the atmosphere. Typically, investments in energy-efficient lighting yield 20 to 30 percent rates of return (IRR) per year.

A Model for Churches
Four years ago, Augustana Lutheran Church in Chicago conducted a lighting audit and identified inefficient incandescent bulbs in the sanctuary, outdoors, and in the exit signs. After an energy audit, the council approved funds for the first phase of a lighting renovation.

Less efficient incandescent bulbs in part of Augustana's 25-year-old building were replaced with more efficient compact florescent lights. The replacement included some 24-hour lights mandated by fire and safety regulations, as well as other high wattage lamps. The approximate savings in electrical bills is about $100 per month. This savings is expected to pay for this phase in about two years. The attached chart shows the reduction in monthly bills as well as average daily energy use. A second more complicated phase includes installing motion sensors and switching to efficient electronic ballasts.

Based on this experience, the Metro Chicago Synod established a revolving loan fund, so that congregations may borrow money for lighting upgrades and pay the synod back as they realize savings.

Suggestions for Making the Lighting in Your Church Building Efficient

A Challenge to Our Congregations
Many of us do not seem to comprehend the significance of small savings realized at the level of the local congregation. Imagine if 20,000 congregations, roughly 10 percent of the congregations involved with the National Council of Churches, implemented lighting efficiency measure similar to those at Augustana Lutheran Church. In one year, the church could have saved more than 24 million dollars, which could be used to fight poverty, environmental degradation, and environmental racism. Congregations could have also saved 268 million kilowatt hours of energy in one year, as well as prevented the emission of 193,000 tons of CO2, 2,140 tons of SO2 and 940 tons of NOX.

By taking initiative in this area, churches can become leaders in the fight for eco-justice. They could be at the forefront of the drive to implement the UNCED climate change treaty.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NRSV)