More News

Compared with the nearly 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the air by the United States each year, the 9 metric tons of pollutants a Camp Springs church saved in 2009 by using wind-generated electricity might seem trivial.

But to the members of Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church, paying about $290 extra for the year on their electricity bill for wind power — reducing carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to taking a car off the road for a year — represents an important act of faith.

"One of the principles of the faith is being good custodians of the earth and valuing the environment," said church board President Sandy Greenberg.

Davies is among 10,000 homes and businesses in Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Delaware that buy wind-generated power from Washington Energy Gas Services, one of at least four gas and electric providers that sell wind-generated power in Maryland, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

For an extra 2.5 cents per kilowatt of electricity used, consumers like Davies pay for wind-powered electricity generated by wind farms in Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to WGES spokeswoman Leah Gibbons.

Davies started buying wind-generated power in late 2008, but 2009 represented the first full year they powered the church using 100 percent wind power, according to church treasurer Jessica Milstead. She added that the extra $290 is much less than what it might cost to retrofit the 40-year-old building with environmentally friendly infrastructure.

The Universalist Unitarian denomination's two other churches in Prince George's County — one in Adelphi and one in Bowie — also are purchasing wind power, according to Joyce Dowling, Davies' public relations director.

Greenberg said that despite the added cost, she has not heard any complaints from the church's 111 members, especially since the church has instituted other environmentally friendly programs that save the church several hundred dollars annually.

Ned McCubbin of Waldorf, a member of the church since 1999, said he thinks buying wind power is worth the extra cost.

"I think everybody knows you do pay something extra for it, but I think [members] are willing to do that," he said. "I support them and hope to see us do more as opportunities come up."

Several years ago, for instance, members donated ceramic mugs to replace the use of paper or Styrofoam cups. Milstead said that when disposable cups, plates or utensils are needed, the church buys only biodegradable products, and stocks cleaning products with less harmful chemicals and special coffee supposedly made using methods less harmful to plants and animals.

Congregants are also given the option of receiving the church newsletter by e-mail, which has not only cut down on paper use but also saved the church hundreds of dollars in postage costs.

"By doing these kinds of things as a unit, we're having a bigger impact than one person can do by themselves," Greenberg said. "I think people are rather pleased that we can be supportive of a program like that."