MTA: “Dump the Pump” Long Island

Today, June 19, is National “Dump the Pump” Day  and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is reminding Long Islanders to avoid high gasoline prices by riding mass transit.

Merrick Preserve attracts Argentine Officials

On Wednesday, June 11, a small delegation of governmental officials from Argentina toured the Norman J. Levy Nature Preserve in Merrick.

NYS Senate passes bill for Tax Credits to Businesses that use Alternative Energy

Yesterday, May 19, the New York State Senate passed a bill which would provide tax credits to New York businesses that install alternative energy and electric systems.

MTA: New Website, MTA+Bike

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched a website aimed at encouraging New York and Connecticut residents to combine transit use with bicycling for an inexpensive, healthy and climate friendly way to travel.

Comptroller announces County’s first “Paperless Audit”

5/13/08: Weitzman compares the two different audits. Photo from nassaucountyny.gov

Yesterday, May 12, Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman announced that his office completed the County’s first ever “paperless audit”.

LIPA plans New York’s largest Solar Energy Project

Yesterday, April 22, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) announced their plan for the largest solar energy project in the State of New York.

Today is Earth Day…Think Green

Today, Tuesday, April 22, 2008 is Earth Day. The first Earth Day was celebrated 38 years ago, on April 22, 1970.

In honor of Earth Day 2008, LIPA is offering its customers a special lighting promotion. Click here www.lipower.org/efficiency/earthday.html

Wantagh UFSD also goes “green” with aid from Sen. Fuschillo

New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced that $125,000 in state funding will help lower energy costs for the Wantagh Union Free School District. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) will also be providing $125,000 in matching funds to bring the combined total of $250,000 to the Wantagh School District.

“Skyrocketing energy prices are forcing the Wantagh School District to spend more money to heat and power their buildings. By using solar energy, which is a clean and renewable energy source, the Wantagh School District will be able to reduce its energy costs and save money for Wantagh taxpayers,” said Senator Fuschillo.

The funding secured by Sen. Fuschillo will be used to install solar energy technology at Wantagh Middle School, 3299 Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh. LIPA will provide the school district with a rebate in accordance with its Solar Pioneer Program, along with a 20kW solar photovoltaic system and educational information on the photovoltaic system and technology for use at the School.

Fuschillo recently announced that neighboring Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District would also receive $125,000 from the state.

“Green Levittown” receives more National Attention

“Green Levittown“, Nassau County’s project aimed at cutting carbon emissions in the Levittown community,  has received even more national attention.  Local government leaders from all over the country gathered yesterday morning in Washington for a climate change summit.   Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi talked about his new project “Green Levittown” and his goal of spreading this plan, not only to all of Nassau, but Long Island and the country.

“Thirty percent of the homes in Levittown still have the original boiler from 60 years ago,” said  Suozzi. He pointed out that if all these homes switched to efficient new boilers, 1.3 million gallons of oil would be saved and 32.3 million fewer pounds of pollution would be emitted each year.

About 100 homes have switched to more  energy efficient burners. Suozzi hopes that 1,000 homes will participate in the project by the end of 2008.  The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint by 10% in America’s first suburb.

Since the county’s announcement back in November, the Green Levittown project  has been  mentioned in  numerous local and national news articles.