The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, MD

From showing An Inconvenient Truth, having an energy assessment, installing LED exit signs, purchasing wind power, and changing light to CFLs, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, MD has pretty much done it all. Additionally they have brought in experts to teach and encourage their members to take similar action at home.

The Global Warming Study and Action group has made every effort to implement the congregational changes in a sustainable and lasting way. For example, they insisted on adding the energy assessment report as an appendix to the congregation’s strategic plan. Also, when deciding whether to change to wind power, the question was put to the entire congregation to ratify it with the rest of the budget.  Inclusive actions like these lead to practices that hopefully extend beyond the congregation and into the home.

Supportive leadership cannot be overlooked in UU of Silver Spring’s remarkable accomplishments. They are blessed with the support of a minister who was able to identify critical people within the congregation to put these ideas into action along with three dedicated board members who joined the team. Additionally, an understanding of the inner workings of the board proved valuable when the group was ready to present their requests.

The group limited potential red tape by finding free activities and resources. Any educational program or movie showing was a great free or low-cost way to get a congregation galvanized without having to bring up finances with the board.

The Story in Numbers

• 9 active members in the Global Warming Study and Action Group
• 16 LED exit signs purchased from www.shopIPL.org for $329.12
• 12 additional signs acquired for free from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
• Savings estimates over the lifetime of the LED exit signs:
• 171,696 KWH saved
• 235,567 pounds of CO2 saved
• $17,170 saved
• <1 year is the amount of time it takes for the signs to pay for themselves
• By participating in Montgomery County's Clean Energy Rewards Program they purchased offsets for 40,000 KWH of energy for just $200.00. This is equivalent to 50 percent of their electricity usage in one year.

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