Updated 1/25/2024
A half hour presentation,
“What to do (about global warming),” by Coty Keller (Saint James Church,
Long Beach) laid out the challenges we face. Topics: The Causes. What is the
Bold and Urgent Action needed to meet the crisis? What we can do in in our parishes, as individual/families/businesses,
and how we can Influence Government.
In a breakout session, “A Framework for Parish Action” Anna
Dengler (All Saints Church, Park Slope) and Coty Keller (Saint James. Long
Beach) presented the concepts and tools to be applied in a program to reduce
and eliminate parish emissions.
One of the important
“lessons” in the breakout session was the value – and necessity – of the
independent energy audit. Click here to
see an example of the report from such and audit: St.
James Energy Audit.
In the spring of 2022, the
Diocese commissioned a study, “Master Plan for
Efficiency Upgrades” which provided recommendations for electrical system
upgrades at St. James. These suggestions proved valuable in the creation of the overall plan to reduce/eliminate emissions.
In the summer of 2023, St.
James’ ad hoc Building Improvement Committee distributed a report for review
and comment that outlined ideas for eliminating emissions and providing access
for the disabled. See St.
James of Jerusalem Church, Building Upgrades 1st Report.
A 20-minute presentation, Reduce/Eliminate Emissions
at St. James of Jerusalem Long Beach by Coty Keller offered an update
on the planning for building updates at the church and rectory. Topics included
the underlying principles, scope of work, and how to pay for it.
A highlight of the presentation is a summary of the many money saving
benefits, for houses of worship, households, and businesses, of the Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022: the climate law that most people don’t know about.
Click here for the handout, Resources
for Non-profits, which includes links to guides that explain how much money
you can get with the Inflation Reduction Act.
In January 2024, St. James’ ad hoc Building Improvement Committee
distributed a 2nd report for review and comment that outlined a plan
for eliminating emissions and providing access for the disabled. The
estimated timeline for implementation is shown in the table below:
|
Milestone |
Approximate Date |
|
Feeback from stakeholders received, plan
updated for presentation to Bishop’s Committee |
Mid-February 2024 |
|
Plan approved by St. James Bishop’s Committee |
End of February 2024 |
|
Approval by Trustees |
End of March 2024 |
|
Real Estate Division solicits RFPs |
Early May 2024 |
|
Real Estate Division writes contracts |
Early June 2024 |
|
Construction |
July, August, September 2024 |
|
Completion |
Late September 2024 |
See St.
James of Jerusalem Church, Building Upgrades Report
#2.