Update from your Climate Action Committee

Have you looked up at UUSR’s Hale Street roof recently and seen our array of 39 solar panels? They are generating much more electricity that we currently use. Our monthly bill is $0 and we sell the excess electricity that we generate to members of our congregation.

During the early stages of the project we worked very closely with Jim Nail, President of Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (https://www.massipl.org/), an organization that mobilizes communities of faith to respond to the climate emergency. They advise on ways to lower energy use and carbon emissions through energy efficiency, electrification, and using renewable energy.

In 2025 we received a rebate check for our installation in the amount of $17,108 that will be used for future energy efficiency enhancements to our building. On April 18 Jim and two associates from MassIPL conducted an energy audit of our building—the first use of the rebate money. They performed a thorough analysis of our heating system, energy usage, and insulation. We will be receiving a summary of their analysis, which will serve as a roadmap for future energy efficiency improvements to our building, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

If you’re interested in this effort or joining the CAC, please contact climate@rockportuu.org.