MILL VALLEY, CA - Our Savior Episcopal church, Mill Valley is the first Marin County church to purchase electricity produced from 100% renewable resources. Joining other Bay Area churches in their choice to switch, the purchase provides an important example for others interested in putting their faith into action by taking an important step toward protecting the environment. In an unanimous vote, church leaders adopted a far-reaching program to use cleaner, renewable energy, improve Our Savior's energy efficiency, and encourage Our Savior's parishioners to follow suit.

The action comes in response to a resolution from the Episcopal Diocese of California urging all parishes to "make every effort to conserve energy and choose environmentally friendly and renewable resources in our institutions and homes." A statewide Episcopalian initiative, Episcopal Power and Light, hopes to have fifty Bay Area churches join the green power crusade by the end of July. Ultimately, the initiative impacts 450 Episcopal churches and 168,000 parishioners in California, and could become a model for action by Episcopal churches and other places of worship nationwide. Rev. Sally Bingham of Episcopal Power and Light said, "In light of the ever increasing scientific evidence of global warming and in response to God's call that we be wise stewards of Creation, Episcopal Power and Light is teaching Episcopalians that green power and energy conservation is a responsibility of Christians everywhere."

In addition to receiving green power, Our Savior also has the option of receiving an energy audit to identify additional ways the church can reduce its energy use and expand its stewardship mission on energy and the environment. Our Savior's electricity will be provided by Green Mountain.com, and is certified through the Green-e Renewable Electricity Program - the nation's leading environmental certification for green power offerings (more information on the Green-e website).