Tools to Guide Congregations Through the Energy Transition

Originally aired October 15, 2019

Many faith-based organizations want to take action to help steward our environment, starting with their own buildings, but often don’t know how to begin. This webinar introduces the Sustainability Education and Energy Knowledge-sharing (SEEK) Project, an action research project of the Spirituality and Sustainability Initiative at ASU, and demonstrates the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® for Congregations program. SEEK provides a framework and tools to help congregations accelerate their energy transitions using a novel model for leveraging existing assets and multi-sectoral partnerships. The EPA’s ENERGY STAR® for Congregations program offers free online tools, training, and technical support, with typical worship facilities achieving 25–30 percent reductions in energy use.

Speakers

Elisabeth Graffy

Professor of Practice, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University

Elisabeth Graffy is a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society and a core member of the Spirituality and Sustainability Initiative. Her research focuses on the intersection of energy policy, public engagement, and institutional change, examining how diverse communities — including faith communities — can navigate energy transitions and take meaningful action on sustainability.

Jerry Lawson

National Manager, ENERGY STAR for Congregations, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Jerry Lawson is the National Manager for the EPA’s ENERGY STAR for Congregations program, which provides free tools, training, and technical support to help houses of worship improve their energy and water stewardship. He works to expand adoption of energy efficiency across faith communities nationwide, helping congregations reduce their environmental footprint and redirect energy cost savings toward their mission and ministry.

Thayer Tomlinson

Program Manager, Energy & Security Group

Thayer Tomlinson is a Program Manager at the Energy & Security Group, where he works on energy efficiency, clean energy deployment, and sustainability program development. He brings expertise in translating energy policy into practical tools and programs that help organizations — including faith communities — take effective action on energy transition and environmental stewardship.