Sandra Steele, Educational Consultant

Good Gas Mileage Can Be Spiritual

Aug 18, 2006

Contact: Kelli Berhost
3039645195
kberhost@regis.edu

Authored by: Office of Public Affairs

Denver, CO – July 8 $2.79. July 24 $2.94. August 12 $3.06. More than ever, Americans are feeling the pinch of increasing gas prices; sometimes being fuelefficient is a sign from God.

In an effort to be more fuel efficient and with a growing concern for the environment, the Jesuits, a group of priests at Regis University, decided in 2003 to buy two hybrid vehicles and are now seen scurrying around town these days driving Toyota Priuses. The idea for the Jesuit community to use hybrid cars came from Father Clarke, S.J., Chancellor of Regis University, who has been on the National Renewable Energy Board since 1982.

“They didn’t use them very much in the beginning, but then they started liking them and before long they were hooked” said Father Clarke S.J.

Today there are five hybrid vehicles shared among the community of 10 men. There is even a signout sheet that each must fill out before taking a joy ride around town getting an average of 45 to 55 miles per gallon. The Jesuits are the founding fathers of Regis, and an order of Catholicism devoted to education and teaching.

Always trying to come up with new ways to save energy, Father Clarke also was responsible for the installation of solar panels on the top of the Jesuit residence to heat water.