Conference on affordable and special needs housing first on Long Island to Focus on building New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes

Uniondale, NY, April 13, 2007: The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), United Way of Long Island, community groups and building trades are teaming up to host the ENERGY STAR(r) for Affordable Housing Conference 2007 on May 23. The day-long seminar at the Sheraton Long Island Hotel, 110 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Smithtown, New York will focus on making affordable housing more affordable through LIPA’s New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes Program.

New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes use approximately 30 percent less energy than conventionally built new homes. These homes achieve the savings with improved air sealing and insulation techniques, high quality windows and doors, high efficiency heating and cooling systems, well-sealed duct systems and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and
lighting. In 2008, New York ENERGY STAR standards will become a building code requirement in many communities on Long Island.

“Homes of any size and in any price range can be built to be more efficient without sacrificing style or comfort,” said Richard M. Kessel, LIPA CEO/president and featured luncheon speaker at the conference. “New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes improve long-term affordability through lower operating costs and help ensure greater efficiency, comfort, health and safety.”

“We are excited to be working with LIPA to integrate ENERGY STAR into special needs housing,” said Christopher Hahn, president & CEO of United Way of Long Island. “This program will help build more efficient homes; therefore, reduce costs over time and allow us to help more people in need.”

The seminar will include special guest speaker, John Tooley, nationally renowned building expert who will discuss the “house as a system” approach to maintain long-term affordability, value and durability in residential new construction.

Affordable housing agencies, community development organizations and local housing authorities; as well as architects, builders and housing program managers who want to attend the conference should call Janie Prinzivalli or Kristen Anderson at 631-940-3721 by May 14. To register online, visit www.unitedwayli.org and click the “Building Homes with ENERGY STAR” link under the Events Calendar. The cost for registration is $35 per person, which includes lunch. The hours of the seminar are 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with registration sign-in starting at 7:15am.

The Affordable Housing Conference is sponsored by LIPA and United Way of Long Island, as well as the Long Island Builders Institute, Neighborhood Network, CDC Long Island and Long Island Housing Partnership. For more information about the conference and the New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes program visit www.lipower.org/cei or call 1-877-ESTAR-LI (877-378-2754).

United Way of Long Island, together with our community partners, is committed to changing the lives of Long Islanders by investing in improving access to health care, supporting children and youth, reducing hunger and assisting our neighbors in need. For more information, visit http://www.unitedwayli.org.

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LIPA Contact Information:
Media Relations: (516) 719-9892
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations@lipower.org

United Way Contact:
Carole Paton
cpaton@unitedwayli.org
Phone: 631-940-3734