An unusual audience of 35 facility managers, clergy, business managers and volunteers at area churches and synagogues learned how to save money and reduce harmful emissions to the environment at a workshop April 23.

Gathered at Oakland Community College in Royal Oak, attendees not only learned exciting new information about indoor air quality, lighting and building audits, but they also left with a renewed commitment to reducing their facilities' emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Sponsored by Michigan Interfaith Power & Light [MiIPL], the workshop was led by Dr. Debra Rowe, Professor of Environmental Systems and Behavioral Sciences at OCC. Featured presenters included Doug Black of Enerficiency and James Newman, C.E.M., of Newman Consulting Group. Black, who had conducted energy audits for several of the congregations represented, reviewed how an audit works and what building managers can learn from having one. Newman discussed how to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by highlighting potential IAQ stressors indoors and out. He also represented the U.S. Green Building Council and talked about the benefits of using "green" building strategies and materials when considering renovations or additions.

Each congregation received a copy of the EPA's and Small Business Association of Michigan's book Putting Energy into Stewardship: ENERGY STAR® Guide for Congregations.

Dr. Rowe said this workshop, as well as similar events offered in Grand Rapids in February and Oxford in May, taught facility managers "lots of ways to save energy, save money for the congregations and reduce pollution at the same time." They also learned a comprehensive approach to energy management and greening the congregation.

MiIPL's mission is to "involve communities of faith as stewards of God's creation" through education, energy audits, promotion of energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy and related sustainable practices. MiIPL's goal is to help congregations adopt sustainable practices and champion a sustainable way of life. After just one year in existence, MiIPL, part of a national Interfaith Power & Light movement now active in 14 states and the District of Columbia, has more than 60 member congregations that are taking advantage of these workshops and the other myriad benefits of membership.

Through its relationship with the Small Business Association of Michigan's [SBAM] ENERGY STAR® program, MiIPL is able to offer SBAM employee benefits such as insurance and SBAM's electric choice program. For a $100 membership fee, MiIPL offers free energy audits of facilities and support in helping congregations develop a strategy to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. MiIPL's fall conference will be at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing on October 28. For more information, write to miipandl@yahoo.com or call (517) 333-9133.