Dr. Brooks "meets and greets" some of the Kansas IPL Leadership
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56 people attended the event
Lawrence — Kansas Interfaith Power & Light (Kansas IPL) held its first annual dinner meeting in Lawrence on Tuesday evening. A capacity crowd at Local Burger Restaurant heard Dr. Karl Brooks, Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region VII, outline the agency’s responsibilities and discuss clean air, clean water and an abundant energy supply into the future, according to Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director of the interfaith organization.
Kansas Interfaith Power and Light, an environmentally-active organization of more than 40 faith congregations across the state of Kansas, was founded in 2007. The group is committed to encouraging faith communities to “put their faith into action” by improving the energy efficiency of their facilities and advocating for public policies that support energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the increased use of renewable energy.
Rachel Mysilvy, Chair of Kansas IPL, introduced Dr. Brooks, with her own call to action for people and congregations of faith to become involved in environmental awareness and action. Members engaged in a short question and answer dialogue with Dr. Brooks at the close of his remarks.
Two community leaders were recognized for their outstanding leadership and guidance in the founding of Kansas IPL. An award was presented to Eileen Horn of Lawrence, and Ellyn Owen of Baldwin City accepted the award for her late husband, David Owen.
Lively entertainment for the event was provided by the “antique pop” duo of Victor and Penny.
“The turnout and enthusiasm was greater than we expected for this first event, and it will definitely become an annual activity for Kansas IPL,” Rabbi Rieber stated at the end of the evening. “We are gratified by the commitment of people of faith across this state to take action and do their part to address global climate change.”