INTERFAITH GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGNS

WEST VIRGINIA

Coordinator: Marcia Leitch

P.O. Box 226
Talcott, WV 24981-0226
home: 304-466-0982
fax: 304-466-4790
email: jmleitch@mountain.net

Letter to Senators, February 26, 2002

February 26, 2002
The United States Senate
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator,
As leaders of major faith communities, we write to you, our senators, at a moment of great moral urgency for our nation and the planet - God's children and God's creation.  We caution Congress not to adopt an energy policy based on short-term regard for long-term solutions.  On May 18, 2001, 41 heads of major denominations and senior religious leaders joined in issuing "Let There Be Light: An Interfaith Call for Energy Conservation and Climate Justice."  In this document, they lifted up these moral stakes of a sustainable energy policy:

"At stake are: the future of God's creation on earth; the nature and durability of our economy; our public health and public lands; the
environment and quality of life we bequeath our children and grandchildren. We are being called to consider national purpose not just policy." Drawing upon scripture, the statement affirmed the importance of considering long-standing principles of faith and values concerning all of creation -stewardship, covenant, justice, prudence, solidarity, and intergenerational equity.  Today, more than ever, these precepts should guide our action. Recent events remind us of the intimate link between the safety of people and the reliability of our energy system.  Efforts to preserve the environment are ever more clearly necessary in order to protect human life. Security and sustainability are inextricably linked.

We agree with President Bush's statement on October 11 that said, "The less dependent we are on foreign sources of crude oil, the more secure we are at home."  Yet, it is clear that we do not have sufficient domestic reserves to replace foreign oil supplies.  Conservation and reducing our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is critical to achieving energy independence and can be accomplished in economically responsible and economically beneficial ways. Concerning energy use, we believe that conservation and the development of the cleanest technologies possible are the wisest, most just, and most prudent means to fulfill our moral obligations to ensure the health and well-being of the American people and people around the world, now and for generations to come.  We have interfaith climate change campaigns in 21 states that are educating congregations on the link between energyconservation and renewable energy sources that benefit climate change reduction.

Rooted in moral values and concern for God's creation and God's children, we support the following energy policy initiatives:

—Raise substantially vehicle fuel economy across the board in the shortest feasible timeframe, and require SUVs, minivans, and passenger cars to meet the same standard.
—Develop strategies to encourage the auto industry to further design and produce vehicles using hybrid-electric, fuel cell, and other promising clean technologies, and provide incentives for their purchase.
—Support substantially increased funding for inter-city rail and metropolitan mass transit to provide attractive and functional alternatives to single occupancy autos.
—Fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and increase it with the least possible environmental damage.

We strongly oppose policies that would allow drilling or mining in our nation's dwindling wild lands and places important to the traditional cultures of indigenous peoples.  We specifically oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Conservation is a morally superior alternative to drilling in such places.  Furthermore, conservation is also more effective, providing much greater benefits that are more permanent, rather than a modest and short-lived increase in oil supply.

Alongside energy concerns that relate directly to oil, we have longstanding distress about other health and environmental effects of energy policy, including global climate change.  Therefore, we support policies that would:

—Invest significantly more resources in renewable energy research and development with a focus on wind, geothermal, solar and biomass technologies.
—Include carbon dioxide as a regulated pollutant from power plants.
—Apply the strictest feasible energy efficiency standards to consumer products, including air conditioners.
—Increase funds for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program and other programs to alleviate economic hardship on low-income people caused by high energy prices.

Now is the time to embrace energy conservation and efficiency and alternative energy development as the central strategies of our nation's energy policy.  The energy policies we adopt in the coming debate must reflect our resolve as a nation to be faithful to our values and to fulfill our obligations at a time of national crisis. God calls humans to strive toward shalom - peace, justice, and harmony for all of creation.  We have called on our congregants and communities to practice energy conservation as part of our values.  Now we urgently call on the United States Congress and the Administration. The same energy policies that will help achieve peace for humankind by reducing our dependence on oil will create greater harmony within creation by protecting the environment. Together, we can achieve energy solutions that embody and promote justice, stewardship, and intergenerational responsibility.  We urge you to consider and consult these values as you evaluate the energy policy options before the nation and work to pass responsible and effective legislation.

Sincerely,

National Religious Leaders:

ACADEMY FOR JEWISH RELIGION
Rabbi David Greenstein, President

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bishop McKinley Young

ALEPH: ALLIANCE FOR JEWISH RENEWAL
Rabbi Daniel Siegel, Rabbinic Director

ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS
Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey, Executive Director

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES
Rev. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary

ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH AMERICA
The Most. Rev. Metropolitan Philip Saliba

CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS
Rabbi Paul J. Menitoff, Executive Vice President

CHRISTIAN CHURCH  (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm, General Minister and President

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Rev. Judy Mills Reimer, General Secretary

COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
Grant McMurray, President

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Rev. Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop

GREEK ORTHDOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
His Eminence Archbishop Demitrios

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Rev. Michael E. Livingston, Executive Director

KOREAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Rev. Dr. Seung K. Choi, General Secretary

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE, U.S.
Jose Ortiz, Executive Director

MENNONITE CHURCH
Susan Mark Landis, Minister of Peace and Justice

MORAVIAN CHURCH - NORTHERN PROVINCE
Rev. R. Burke Johnson, President

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN
Sandra Lief Garrett, Executive Director
Jan Schneiderman, National President

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA
Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar, General Secretary

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA
His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius

PATRIARCHAL PARISHES - RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Most Reverend Mercurius, Bishop of Zaraisk

PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING, THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
Friend Thomas Jeavons

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA
Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk

RABBINICAL ASSEMBLY
Rabbi Joel H. Meyers, Executive Director
Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz, President
Rabbi Lee S. Paskind, Chair, Social Action Committee

RECONTRUCTIONIST RABBINICAL ASSOCIATION
Rabbi Richard Hirsch, Executive Director

RECONTRUCTIONIST RABBINICAL COLLEGE
Rabbi David A. Teutsch, President
Donald Shapiro, Chairman of the Board

REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
Rev. Wesley S. Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary

RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER OF REFORM JUDAISM
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Br. David Andrews, CSC
Executive Director, National Catholic Rural Life Conference
The Most Rev. Kevin T. Boland
Bishop, Diocese of Savannah
The Most Rev. John T. Donoghue
Archbishop, Atlanta Archdiocese
The Most Rev. Kenneth E Untener
Bishop, Diocese of Saginaw

SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE USA AND CANADA
Metropolitan Christopher
President, Episcopal Council

SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ANTIOCH
His Eminence Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, Patriarchal vicar for the eastern U.S.

TONY CAMPOLO MINISTRIES
Rev. Tony Campolo

UNION OF AMERICAN HEBREW CONGREGATIONS
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, President

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONS
Rev. William G. Sinkford, President

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Rev. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Bishop Melvin G. Talbert, Ecumenical Officer, Council of Bishops

UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM
Rabbi Jerome Epstein, Executive Vice President

UNIVERSITY OF JUDAISM - ZEIGLER SCHOOL OF RABBINIC STUDIES
Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DeanWest Virginia Religious Leaders

West Virginia Religious Leaders:

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Rev. Alton B. Dillard, Sr., Pastor, Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Charleston

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH
Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr., Presiding Prelate, Mid-Atlantic II Episcopal Area

BAHA'I
Ardith Gilbertson, Vice Chair, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of Jefferson County
Dr. William P. Gregg, Chairman, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of Jefferson County

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
Rev. David K. Shumate, District Executive Minister, Virlina District

COMMISSION ON RELIGION IN APPALACHIA
Tena Willemsma, Executive Director

EPISCOPAL
Rev. Alma Beck, Assistant Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church, Huntington
Rev. Stanley B. Jones, Priest Associate, Trinity Episcopal Church, Shepherdstown
Rev. Victor F. Lawson, Missioner, The Nelson Cluster of Episcopal Churches, Eastern Panhandle
Rev. Melanie McCarley, Rector, Zion Episcopal, Charles Town
Rev. Phil McCarley, Chaplain, Winchester Medical Center
Rev. Dr. Karl Ruttan, Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church, Charleston
Debra Short, Deputy for Program & Congregational Development, Episcopal Diocese of  West Virginia

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
Rev. James B. Huffman, Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown
Rev. Fred A. Soltow, Pastor St Peter's Lutheran Church, Shepherdstown

GREEK ORTHODOX
Rev. Fr. Christopher Bender, Pastor, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Morgantown

INDEPENDENT
Rev. Eugene J. Nesbitt, Pastor, Refuge Chapel, Charleston

ISLAMIC
Dirar Ahmed, President, Islamic Association of West Virginia
Dr. Abdul Qazi, Chairman of Construction Committee & Fund Raising Committee,
  Islamic Association of West Virginia
Mahmoud Shahbandy, Vice President, West Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

JEWISH
Rabbi Israel B. Koller, Rabbi, Congregation B'nai Israel, Charleston
Susan Allen, State Public Affairs Chair, National Council of Jewish Women,WV Section

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA
Gay D. Mothershed, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of West Virginia
Carolyn W. Arbuckle, Hunger Action Enabler, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Deana M. Armstrong, Pastor, Alderson & Mt. Pleasant, Sinks Grove Presbyterian Churches
Rev. Elizabeth McNair Ayscue, Pastor, Clifton Presbyterian Church, Maxwelton
Beth Bondurant, CLP Pulpit Supply, Bates Memorial Presbyterian Church, Huntington
Rev. Robert K. Bondurant, Campus Minister, Marshall University, Huntington
Rev. Grace Jones Boyer, Parish Associate, Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Shepherdstown
Rev. Tracy K. Boyer, Parish Associate, Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Shepherdstown
Terry H. Cunningham, Special Presbyter for Older Adults, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Robert W. Debnam, Active Minister, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Patricia Donohoe, Associate Pastor, Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Shepherdstown
Michael W. Elliott, Elder, Eleanor Presbyterian Church, Eleanor
Rev. Dr. Richard W. Fiete, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Morgantown
Rev. John E. Harris, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Buckhannon; Special Presbytery For Quadrant Ministries, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Ingram Hedgpeth, Interim Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, St. Albans
Rev. Richard L. Krajeski, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Mannington and Shinnston Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem
Rev. David Lawrence, Minister, Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church, Wheeling
Jacqueline K. Loving, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, White Sulphur Springs
Rev. Frank Mansell, Pastor, Village Chapel Presbyterian Church, Charleston
Gene Myers, Member, Ronceverte Presbyterian Church, Ronceverte
Phyllis Myers, Clerk of Session, Ronceverte Presbyterian Church, Ronceverte
Rev. James E. Morley, Chaplain, WVU Hospitals
Rev. John H. Niles, Pastor, Enslow Park Presbyterian Church, Huntington
Rev. Kristina Peterson, Consultant, Church World Services
Eleanor J. Scott, Elder, Teays Valley Presbyterian Church, Scott Depot
Kendall Stone, Elder, Highlawn Presbyterian Church, St. Albans
Dr. Symon Satow, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Hinton
Yvonne Satow, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Hinton
Edith Seaton, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Hinton
Dr. Ronald Seaton, Elder, First Presbyterian Church, Hinton
Rev. William D. Slates, Interim Pastor, Falls View, Charleston Heights and Montgomery Presbyterian Churches
Rev. Edward J. Thompson, Pastor, McKinnon Presbyterian Church, Charleston; Special Presbyter For Quadrant Ministries, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Dr. Randall Tremba, Senior Minister, Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, Shepherdstown
Susan Watkins, Personnel & Administration Committee, Presbytery of West Virginia
Rev. Sally G. Woodard, Pastor, Edgewood Presbyterian Church, Lewisburg

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Rev. Colombo F. Bandiera, Pastor, Parish of St. Theresa/St. Elizabeth, Morgantown
V. Rev. Carl E. Bauer, Pastor, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Star City; Vicar, Clarksburg Vicariate, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Robert Choiniere, Pastoral Services Liaison, Parkersburg Vicariate, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Sister Kathleen Durkin, SSJ, Vice President, Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling
Todd Garland, Director, Catholic Committee of Appalachia
Rev. John H. McDonnell, Chairman, Religious Unity Office, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Rev. Jerome McKenna, CP, Director, Office of Diocesan Planning and Pastoral
Services, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Rev. That-Son Nguyen, Pastor, Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, Elkview
Sr. Patricia Peters, O.P., Board Chair, Catholic Committee of Appalachia
Sr. Mary Rehmann, CHM, Parish of St. Theresa/St. Elizabeth, Morgantown
Rev. Dr. T. Mathew Rowgh, Pastor, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Shepherdstown
Carolyn Santilli, Pastoral Services Liaison, Weston Vicariate, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Andrea Wallpe, Science Teacher, Charleston Catholic School, Charleston
Carol Warren, Director, Justice & Life Office, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston

SALVATION ARMY
Captain Roy Williams

SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
Martha Meadows, Choir Director, First Baptist Church, Fairlea

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
Rev. Rodney E. Thompson, District Consultant, Ohio/West Virginia - MeadvilleDistrict
Rev. Len DeRoche, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Kanawha Valley

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Rev. Dr. Ralph C. Quellhorst, Conference Minister, Ohio Conference

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Rev. S. Clifton Ives, Bishop, West Virginia Area of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Jeffrey S. Allen, Director, Community and Family Development Community Development Outreach Ministries, United Methodist Church
Rev. Eileen Dumire, Asbury United Methodist Church, Charleston
Rev. Eugene Fullen, Pastor, Bellepoint Charge, Hinton
Dr. Arthur B. Holmes, Workman Professor of Religion, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Rev. Skyler Kershner, Director, Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center, Charleston
Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Huntington
Rev. Peggy Scharff, Pastor, Diamond Temple United Methodist Church,
Fairmont; Board Secretary, West Virginia Council of Churches
Rev. Marilyn Schroeder, Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Parkersburg
David Shumate, Youth Director, Financial Secretary, Chair of Pastor-Parish
Relations Committee, Asbury United Methodist Church, Charleston
Rev. Bart R. Thompson, Pastor, Bethesda United Methodist Church, Ona

UNITY CHURCH
Dianna Eldridge, Spiritual Leader, Unity of Shepherdstown

WEST VIRGINIA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
Marcia Leitch, Coordinator, WV Interfaith Global Climate Change Campaign

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