On Sunday, April 18 at 4:00 PM, Gerry Braun, former chair of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin Care for God’s Creation Commission, will share the story of how the church has moved towards net zero carbon emissions. The church has received an interfaith national award in its effort to reduce the speed of climate change. He will share the results to date, lessons learned, and strategies to maximize cost savings. St. Martin’s has cut its average monthly energy expenditures by two thirds and has inspired a number of parish families to follow suit. How did we do it? What could you do in your own home, business or organization? Do not miss the chance to hear from a parishioner who has championed our effort.

If you stop by St. Martin’s you’ll see their innovative use of solar panels, some for shading parking spaces.

Register soon as this will be a popular talk and we’re spreading the word widely among the faith communities and beyond!

Register here: https://bit.ly/coolcongregationevent

 

St Martin parking lot solar panels. Courtesy photo 2021.

 

St Martin heat pumps. Courtesy photo 2021.

Gerry Braun is an energy industry veteran and clean energy pioneer, having initiated and managed clean energy R&D programs for two major California utilities, the US Department of Energy, and the California Energy Commission. His on-going local clean energy work is a continuation of his work at the Energy Commission and UC Davis and previously in the solar energy industry, where he served on the management team of a leading US based solar photovoltaic panel manufacturer and founding president of a retail solar company now serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He is founder and chair of the Integrated Renewable Energy Systems Network (IRESN, Inc.), a California non-profit business league. He is an appointed member and current chair of the City of Davis Utility Rate Advisory Committee and a member and past chair of the Valley Clean Energy Alliance Advisory Committee. He holds a BS degree in mechanical engineering and MS and Nuclear Engineer Degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.