CARE OF CREATION MINISTRY
Co-chairs Bill Maloney maloneyw@bellsouth.net and Gerrie Zimmer gzatnc@gmail.com
Updated 04/24/24
Protecting the Environment
We invite you to watch this 1 min. video as Pope Francis speaks of his encyclical Laudato Si (Praise Be to You) on Caring for Our Common Home.
As a parish community, we strive to significantly reduce the use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) and paper products. All groups that will prepare and serve food and beverages are strongly encouraged to use the plastic cups, ceramic dishes, and coffee cups, glass stemware, and stainless-steel utensils available in the kitchen. Recycling bins are available for recycled items outside the kitchen. Dishes can be cleaned using the dishwasher (training is available) or by hand, if a small number. Groups using the kitchen and facilities should wash the dishes, return them to the proper cabinets, and leave the kitchen and social hall/meeting rooms in clean condition.
ELECTRICITY FROM SUNLIGHT Solar Panels - Celebrating our 9th Year since we installed on 10/28/2015
In 2015 Parishioners were looking for a concrete way to Care for the Earth. On March 8 we announced a project to install 147 Solar Panels by year-end. On 5/24/15 Pope Francis announced Laudato Si, and through the generosity of Parishioners and friends, we completed the fund-drive in 6 months. On 9/21/15 the first panel was installed, the day before the Pope landed in the U.S.
Swiss TV was here for the Pope’s visit and came to St. Eugene to film the Panels as a story for the new encyclical. The next day St. Eugene and Solar were on the news throughout Europe.
Today when the sun shines solar panels are paying about 30% of our electric bill. As of this update 04/24/24 the panels have generated over $50,743 of Free Electricity and kept 674,610 lbs. of CO2 greenhouse gases out of the air we breathe. This is equivalent to planting 5,097 trees. The system is “net metered” – the electricity we do not use goes back to the grid for someone else, and Duke Energy gives us a credit. (Drone photos by Warner Photography)
Is your Church or Congregation looking for a long-term donor? Solar Panels write checks every time the sun shines…and will continue to do so for 25 years of warranty!
Today’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers a Direct Payment to non-profits installing Solar, and a 30% tax credit to homeowners. Duke recently announced a new PowerPair program when you install both solar panels and battery storage. Customers could receive up to $9,000 as a one-time incentive based on the type of solar array and battery installed. The goal – to use customer storage as an additional power source for the grid and minimize building new generating capacity.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers credits and payments for HVAC heat pumps, electric cars, geothermal, and weatherization. Appliances are included: heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, electric ranges, induction ranges and cooktops, and more.
Asheville Catholic School installed 152 panels in 2022. (Red Tesla in the parking lot)
As of 10/01/23 these have generated over $9,000 of Free Electricity for the school.
This high drone photo of N. Asheville shows St. Eugene Panels at the bottom and Asheville Catholic School Panels on the green roof at the top.
For information on Solar or the Inflation Reduction Act contact Bill Maloney maloneyw@bellsouth.net
RECYCLING
RECICLAJE
ST EUGENE GOING GREEN
For several years pre-Covid our Care of Creation Team sponsored a Parish-wide Going Green Weekend. This included plants, pollinators, solar, weatherizing, plastics, electric cars, and other exhibits. People had a chance to speak with Audubon Society representatives and other experts in several fields and learn ways to Care for the Earth and for our Children’s Future.
