LIPA’s Clean Energy Showdown Showcases the Innovative Energy Solutions of Long Island’s Youth

Long Island students display their visions for a clean energy future

Uniondale, NY-March  27, 2007-The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is pleased to announce 2007’s Long Island Schools “Clean Energy Challenge and Showdown” to be held on Tuesday March 27th at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. Students in grades 6 through 12 who reside within the LIPA service territory are eligible to participate in the contest with projects that focus on clean, renewable energy technologies, green building designs and energy efficiency.

As part of a unique partnership that seeks to increase awareness and education in Long Island schools about clean energy solutions, LIPA with Long Island’s very own NHL team the New York Islanders and USA Today are looking for the best and brightest young minds to become “Clean Energy Ambassadors”. The contest encourages students to help make Long Island a cleaner, healthier place to live by becoming a part of the solution to our region’s energy needs.

The top award winner will receive a Macintosh Laptop Computer, LIPA Home Energy Audit, Islanders hockey jerseys, and other great prizes. The Grand Prize Winner in the advanced Nassau Coliseum Challenge for High School students will also win an opportunity to discuss their winning project with LIPA CEO/President Richard M. Kessel, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang and leading Long Island developer Reckson Associates for potential incorporation into future redesign plans of the coliseum. Islander sponsor Arrow Scrap Recycling will also be donating a check for $2,000 dollars to the “Advanced Nassau Coliseum Energy Challenge” winner’s school.

“The future of Long Island belongs to our children and building a sustainable energy future is all our responsibility,” stated Mr. Richard M. Kessel. “The Clean Energy Challenge is a unique opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity of our young people while partnering with businesses and community leaders to make clean, renewable energy a way of life that is good for our environment and economy.”

“USA TODAY is pleased to collaborate with LIPA on education initiatives that demonstrate and teach young people the importance of clean energy solutions,” stated Lori Goldfeder, Senior Program Manager for USA TODAY
The “Clean Energy Showdown” finals competition will be held on Tuesday March 27th from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Nassau Coliseum. Students, parents, teachers, families and friends are all invited to attend and view a full display of outstanding clean energy projects, displays and models submitted by students from schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways.

A formal awards ceremony is scheduled for 12:30 pm with Mr. Richard Kessel and NY Islanders owner Charles Wang. There will be food and prizes throughout the day, donated by Islander sponsors Dave and Buster’s and Vincent’s Clam Bar, on hand to meet the contestants will be New York Islanders players including Hall of Famer Mike Bossy and ‘SPARKY’ the Islander’s team mascot.

“The New York Islanders are proud to be part of the Clean Energy Challenge,” said Mike Bossy, the Islanders Executive Director of Corporate Sponsorships. “The Islanders are committed to supporting clean energy solutions as part of the Lighthouse Project, our transformation of the Nassau Coliseum property. We consider it a privilege to join LIPA in educating the youth of Long Island on energy efficiency.”

The Long Island Clean Energy Challenge is in its second year and growing. Schools, local businesses, environmental and community leaders, sports teams and other interested stakeholders are all invited to support Long Island youngsters by becoming a partner in next year’s 2008 LIPA “Clean Energy Challenge”.

For more information about renewable energy or to learn more about electric conservation, visit LIPA’s Web site at, http://www.lipower.org/cei. Stay tuned for future details regarding the 2008 Clean Energy Challenge coming soon to LIPA’s Web site later this year.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.  LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of customers served and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered.  In 2006, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State in all three major reliability categories.  LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: www.lippower.org.

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