Pratt Center Research
Building Resilient CommunitiesSustainable Houses of Worship
Report | February 8, 2011
This report documents the findings of a pilot project to assist churches in Bedford-Stuyvesant to conduct energy audits and retrofits. The project, funded by State Senator Velmanette Montgomery,demonstrated that assisting congregations to upgrade their buildings for energy efficiency, will not only reduce the operating costs of the religious institution, but can convert religious institutions into beacons of environmental sustainability, providing leadership to their congregations and surrounding community to engage in energy efficiency and environmental action. The report concludes that assisting houses of worship to undertake energy assessments and implement energy-saving improvements is a feasible and impactful strategy.