Letter
Letter to Senate on Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act, May 29, 2019
May 29, 2019
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
425 Dirksen Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable John Hoeven
338 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Klobuchar and Senator Hoeven:
On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, I write in support of the Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act (S. 520). This legislation is an important bipartisan initiative that promotes energy efficiency for nonprofit organizations, including places of worship and faith organizations.
As improvements are made in energy generation across America, we must also focus on combatting the throwaway culture that wastes so many of our God-given resources. Wasteful lifestyles pollute our waters, overwhelm our landfills and energy is at times wasted in our places of work, recreation and worship. Energy efficiency is an important part of the equation for achieving a more sustainable world. In his encyclical on ecology, Pope Francis specifically called for investments “in methods of construction and renovating buildings which improve their energy efficiency” (Laudato Si', no. 26). The Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Act is an excellent example of the way in which the U.S. government can foster integral ecology and sustainability for the American people.
Nonprofit organizations, including faith-based institutions and places of worship, exist to serve individuals and communities across the country. Increasing access to resources that help implement cost saving energy efficiency measures will allow nonprofits to reduce energy consumption and invest the savings towards their mission. As people of faith, we have a responsibility to build a better world with a way of life that treads more gently on “Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us” (Saint Francis of Assisi, Canticle of Creatures).
Thank you for your leadership and for continuing to build bridges for a better future both for our nation and our world.
Sincerely yours,
Most Rev. Frank J. Dewane Bishop of Venice
Chair, Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops