Oh c'mon, Iain - kind of a stretch isn't it?...
Meanwhile, the EPA has also decided that it can reward religious institutions with an Energy Star rating. Amendment I to the Constitution has been repeatedly intepreted by the Courts as the government being unable to favor one religion over another. If certain religions use less energy than others, and that seems likely to be the case with, for instance, 24-hour charismatic adorations or synagogues with Eternal lights, then I can't see how this doesn't cross the line of establishment as defined by the Courts.
I swapped emails with Jerry Lawson a couple months ago. He's the National Manager for EPA's ENERGY STAR Small Business & Congregations Network. Thought I'd drop him a note to see what he thinks of Iain Murray's concerns.
UPDATE: Jerry wrote back - says Mr. Murray "misunderstands" the E/S performance rating and is going to work up a FAQ. Works for me. Will post it (or a link) when he's done with it.
UPDATE: Jerry wrote back again:
Hi Don,
We concluded an FAQ is not merited because you identified the only "findable" naysayer against worship facilities having free access to the ENERGY STAR energy performance tracking tool. My Google and Bing searches generated nothing but dozens of positive stories. More importantly, the positive responses are from the environmental stewards like your readers who are out there doing the energy efficiency work in their homes, businesses and houses of worship.
As you and your readers realize, the first amendment prohibits government from favoring or discriminating among religions - not from providing legitimate services that are in the public interest, such a mail delivery and public information on pollution prevention. ENERGY STAR Congregations will begin providing free webinars on how to use the energy tracking tool this month, as detailed in the attached flyer (howepa.pdf).
Thanks for your good efforts.
Jerry Lawson,
National Manager ENERGY STAR Small Business & Congregations Network
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Mail Code 6202J
Washington, DC 20460
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