Deb Baldwin started the Congregational Church of Needham’s Green Task Force, now known as the Environmental Ministry Team, in 2008. Concerned for her grandchildren and the world they would inherit, Deb believed strongly in taking action to address climate change. The team’s first step was to get a no-cost Mass Save energy audit, which identified the potential ways that the Church could save save energy and money. Benefits of the audit were:
- free CFLs to replace the Church’s incandescent light bulbs (resulting in 30% annual electricity savings)
- follow-up insulation work on the church building – seven truckloads, with the total cost 70% subsidized
And that was just the beginning! Between 2009 and 2020, at the recommendation of the Environmental Ministry Team, the Church continued to take conscious steps to reduce its carbon footprint and save energy and money. Improvements included a new, high-efficiency boiler (23% carbon reduction; $10K-15K annual savings), low-flush toilet adapters, programable thermostats that supported automatic temperature setback at night, and the installation of an electric hand dryer in the women’s restroom. By taking advantage of programs that offered free and/or subsidized items, they replaced all their light bulbs with LEDs and, with a grant from Green Needham, purchased an efficient upright freezer. Overall, the Church reduced its carbon footprint by 50% from 2009 to 2020. They also took actions that, while not necessarily saving the Church money, advanced their goal of operating more sustainably, such as: began collecting and composting kitchen scraps, switched from disposable plastic plates and utensils to washable plates and silverware, added collection bins for recyclables, and installed a bike rack. And importantly, they promoted the idea that individuals should take actions to reduce their carbon footprint, like planning meatless meals, getting home energy audits, and installing LEDs.
But the team, led by Deb, aspired to do more — something that would make a significant impact, such as solar panels on the Church’s large south-facing roof. In 2010, 2014 and 2017, feasibility studies were done for solar panels on this roof, but the cost was out of reach. Then, in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act added a program that gave Houses of Worship a 30% rebate for clean energy projects, making it financially advantageous. In late 2023, the Church board approved the Environmental Ministry Team’s proposal for the purchase and installation of a solar system.
Unfortunately, Deb passed away in May, 2023, but her work continued. With money raised in her memory, and a low-interest Cornerstone Loan via the United Church of Christ, the panels final became a reality and were installed in July 2024. Deb Baldwin’s husband, John, activated the solar array on September 28th by “throwing the switch.” The Church celebrated the installation on September 29th with John Baldwin and his two sons, Ian and Keith. The 68-panel, 28.56kW DC system will reduce the Church’s yearly carbon footprint by 23,000 lbs., offsetting its current electrical usage. After the Cornerstone Loan is repaid in 5 years, the church will save approximately $350,000 to $400,000 during the 25-year solar panel warranty period.
Because of the many sustainable actions taken, the Church has reduced its carbon footprint by 64% since 2004, as demonstrated by the graph below. The Church currently has a Level III Green Church Congregation designation from the United Church of Christ, and will be applying for the highest level – level IV.
Submitted by Carol Brown.
