The Passionist provinces are working with Catholic Energies, an initiative of the Washington-based Catholic Climate Covenant, which helps Catholic facility owners with starting solar energy projects….

Catholic Energies has converted three of the Passionist order's sites in New York, West Hartford, Connecticut, and — just since this past September — San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"We have worked closely with Catholic Energies, because they run the whole project," O'Shea said. "We contribute the land — or make it available to them — (for) potential construction, and provide the actual places to put the panels, which in this instance were our monastery's car port, the rooftop of our school and an open field."

This is a cross-post from Mission Energy, manager of the Catholic Energies program.

Highlights of our latest news:

• 2023: record-high natural disasters, rising utility energy prices, and Inflation Reduction Act incentives for nonprofits underscore opportunities for energy resiliency and cost insulation

• New Catholic Energies development partnerships underway

• Celebrating completed installations at Marian Catholic High School, Holy Family Passionists Retreat Center, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, The Christian Brothers Center, and St. Michael’s Cemetery

• Nonprofit community centers and health systems explore on-site solar, battery energy storage

Pope Francis’ Laudate Deum is an appeal to all, outlining the real and urgent need for humans to address climate change on an individual, local national, and international scale. It is a reminder that climate change is a moral issue, and that we have a responsibility to care for God's creation and to protect the poor and vulnerable. It is also a message of hope, reminding us that we can overcome this challenge if we work together.

Many Catholics, increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fossil fuels, are at the forefront of a "green revolution," heeding the call of several popes to explore and implement alternatives.

The installation, which is expected to be operational in early 2024, will meet approximately 65% of the school's energy needs with renewable energy. The project aligns with Marian Catholic’s deep values in environmental stewardship and its belief that Catholic schools must be innovative, outside-of-the-box thinkers that bring notoriety to their schools and communities.

The Passionists St. Paul of the Cross Province, a global religious order, held an interfaith prayer service today to celebrate their new solar panel installation at their Jamaica, Queens headquarters, on a campus shared with Immaculate Conception Church.

New guidance on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) from the Treasury Department and IRS was recently released for tax-exempt businesses to implement solar and storage projects, reinforcing the expanded opportunities for nonprofits to tap into the benefits of renewable energy projects.

In this issue:

• Inflation Reduction Act offers new opportunities for Catholic organizations seeking solar

• Solar installations nearing completion for The Order of the Passionists properties in New York and Puerto Rico

• The Catholic Diocese of Richmond expands its solar portfolio

• Catholic Energies developing solar projects for Ascension Living real estate in Washington DC and Illinois

• Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, VA featured as a "Cool Congregation" by Interfaith Power & Light

• and more…

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) includes many changes that make it easier for Catholic organizations to switch to solar energy for their facilities.

The national average residential electricity rate was up 8 percent in January from a year earlier, the biggest annual increase in more than a decade. The latest figures, from February, show an almost 4 percent annual rise, reaching the highest level for that month and approaching summer rates, which are generally the most expensive. In Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and New York, rates are up about 15 percent, according to the Energy Department’s latest figures.

A conversation about the related yet distinct missions of Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si' Movement.

In this issue:

• Looking back at 2021

• 542 kW solar and other improvements at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada completed December 2021

• Catholic opportunities for solar growth surge after Illinois passes clean energy legislation

• Catholic hospitals and healthcare facilities explore solar to alleviate high electricity demand costs

• Catholic women’s organizations lead by example implementing solar for their facilities

• and more…

Catholic Climate Covenant is encouraging its members to engage fully in the synod. It has pointed its members and cohort of creation care teams to participate in the diocesan- and parish-based listening sessions. It is also preparing to collect responses as a national organization. "Many of our constituents have for years expressed concern and frustration that their pastors and bishops are not stepping into care for creation. ... This is that opportunity for our constituents to just say so in a very collective way and in a very honest way about desiring that their churches embrace, and in particular their parishes and dioceses, embrace of care for creation," Aguto said.

2021 has been a busy year for Catholic Energies, and we’re working on updating the Our Projects page on our website. We can’t wait to share with you all of the newly installed projects we’ve had the privilege of developing for our clients this past year - thanks for your patience, and check back soon.

The $2 million solar project, developed by Catholic Energies, is part of a larger, $15 million infrastructure project at Catholic Charities. It includes updates to lighting fixtures and roofs, a “facelift” at the St. Vincent Lied dining facility and more.