ICE is guided by the following five principles:

• Organize as a non-profit project within Philadelphia’s religious community.

• Gather measured energy data from each building, and follow where the data lead.

• Represent only the best interests of congregations.

• Develop a copyright-free legacy of research and reports that can be used when non-renewing energy becomes less abundant and more costly.

• Seek funding only from people of faith – congregations and denominations – rather than from corporations, foundations, utilities or governments.