Purpose: To conserve water and to make Oak Grove net zero – carbon neutral (to produce more clean energy than we consume) through conservation, purchasing or producing clean energy for 100% or more of our electricity, and offsetting carbon emissions of our natural gas and other fossil fuel use. Oak Grove is certified as a Presbyterian Earth Care Congregation.
Meeting date: Third Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
Chair: John Crampton (non-elder)
Green Committee Resources:
Earth Care Congregations 2021 (PDF)
Link to recording of the January 17 Zoom presentation – password !1r1!3B0
Annual Electric Vehicle (EV) Expo.
Oak Grove’s Green Committee hosted the Bloomington Sustainability Commission and the Xcel Partners in Energy program on June 20, 2019. Over 50 leaders of Bloomington businesses and churches attended as we presented our actions over the past few years to dramatically cut carbon emissions and to sequester carbon and infiltrate water into the ground to stop and reverse pollution of our waters and atmosphere.
Green Committee Mission and Goals (approved by Session in 2013)
Mission: To demonstrate good stewardship of God’s creation.
Goal 1: Reduce the church’s carbon footprint by 70% by 1/1/2017, based on 1/1/2013 energy consumption.
Strategies:
a. Convert to LED lighting where practicable by 1/1/2015
b. Deploy solar energy as soon as Solar Rewards rebate is approved.
c. Examine additional opportunities for energy conservation and renewable energy production.
d. Implement a recycling program to recycle 85% of the trash generated within the building.
e. Develop a plan for more efficient transportation of church members.
f. Obtain recycled or reusable paint products for maintenance of church.
Goal 2: Develop a plan to explore other options to reduce our carbon footprint with a goal of being grid neutral by 2024.
Goal 3: Reduce storm water runoff and pollution by 33% by 1/1/2017, and develop a plan to substantially reduce water runoff in the future. This includes capturing rain water to substantially cut our depletion of aquifers and groundwater.
Goal 4: Educate the congregation on the importance of taking action to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Strategies:
a. Focus on the social justice implications of global climate change, particularly as it relates to the world we are leaving our children, grandchildren and the poor of the world.
b. Coordinate opportunities with other congregations to educate and share ideas and resources.
c. Seek the most credible and applicable information and speakers.
d. Create opportunities for our members to help stem the impact of climate change on the poor and to create opportunities in the area of clean energy technologies.
Goal 5: Reduce our use of toxic chemicals.
Strategies:
a. Eliminate use of pesticides and herbicides for lawn care.
b. Find least toxic chemicals for use in building operations and maintenance.