FAITH LEADERS URGE GOV KAINE TO OPPOSE COAL PLANT
Over 60 Leaders from Across Virginia Call Clean Energy a Moral Issue

For Immediate Release
March 10, 2008
Contact: Allison Fisher, GWIPL: 202.885.8684
Josh Tulkin, CCAN: 240.396.3171

Pictures available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeakeclimate/sets/72157604090309259

(Arlington, VA) – Faith leaders from across the Commonwealth joined together today to call on Governor Kaine to lead the state to a clean energy future and oppose Dominion Power’s proposed coal plant in southwest Virginia. Over sixty leaders representing multiple different faiths came together because they share the common values of protecting God’s creation and being good neighbors. They believe that building this coal plant would damage all of God’s creation and represent a real risk to their congregants.

"I am here today to speak for the poor who will suffer the most from the consequences of dirty energy," said Fr. Gerry Creedon, Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in Arlington. "Clean energy and energy efficiency are much better ways to meet our energy needs. They will not contribute to environmental degradation and they will provide jobs for the poorest citizens of the Commonwealth."

Faith leaders stress that advocating for a clean energy future is not a political issue. The problems associated with a new coal plant – from global warming to poverty to mountaintop removal – are all moral issues, they insist.

"Jesus said it would take only the faith of a mustard seed to remove a mountain," said Rev. Dr. David Ensign, pastor of Clarendon Presbyterian Church. "Today he might suggest that it takes that same faith to save the same mountain from being removed. That's what we're asking for today: a little faith. Faith in our common will and commitment to becoming better stewards and more frugal consumers of energy and keeping faith with our children as we work together to hand them a world that still has mountaintops."

Religious communities throughout the country are increasingly becoming active in this environmental and social justice issue. They are taking leadership roles by implementing changes to their own buildings by becoming more energy efficient, investing in clean energy, and spreading these changes to their homes and communities.

"As Jews we embrace our responsibility, along with all of humanity, to act as partners with God in the ongoing creation of the world. This commitment must include making individual as well as communal choices that minimize our impact on the environment," said Rabbi Jeff Saxe, the Associate Rabbi at Temple Rodef Shalom. "At the same time that I am choosing to minimize my individual impact, I also have a moral responsibility to advocate for a clean energy future in my larger community."

The faith leaders sent in their letter to the Governor today asking to meet with him to speak further about these issues.

Pictures available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeakeclimate/sets/72157604090309259

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