Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

GIP&L One of Sixteen Georgia Recipients of American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Funds

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIP&L), the Georgia group dedicated to providing a religious response to global warming, has been awarded $400,000 to educate a statewide network of faith communities on energy efficient practices, including energy efficient goods and services, and to conduct energy efficiency retrofits of facilities.

“Here at Georgia Interfaith Power & Light we feel very blessed to have been given this tremendous opportunity,” said Woody Bartlett, Chairman of the Board and founder of GIP&L. “This grant will give faith communities all across Georgia a ready-made program to live out our call to care for Creation by adopting the Power Wise program that Georgia Interfaith Power & Light is creating with these funds.”

GIP&L is the only group to receive funding that is focusing its efforts on the faith community. It’s a worthy undertaking considering that according to ReferenceUSA there are over 15,000 congregations throughout the State of Georgia, making it the single greatest community network for Georgia citizens, 45 percent of whom attend worship services at least once a week. Increasing the energy efficiency of these spaces can yield immediate reductions in energy usage and free up funding for congregations to support their work in their communities.

“We hear stories of congregations unable to meet their budgets, pay their bills or maintain their programs,” offered Alexis Chase, GIP&L Executive Director. “The money congregations spend on their energy bills is money not going to feed the hungry, house the homeless, or advance their mission. Now Georgia congregations can utilize the Power Wise program and find ways to decrease their energy use, which will decrease the amount they spend on their energy bills. It’s an exciting opportunity and we are expecting great demand for the Power Wise program.”