LIPA & United Way Host LI’s First ENERGY STAR(r) Affordable Housing Conference

Uniondale, NY - May 15, 2007 - Two prevalent topics on Long Island are the high cost of living and energy efficiency.  Understanding how these important concepts can be addressed is why the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), United Way of Long Island, community groups and building trades are teaming up to host Long Island’s first ever 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 energy efficient through LIPA’s New York ENERGY STAR(r)-Labeled Homes Program.

ENERGY STAR(r)-labeled homes use about 30 percent less energy than conventionally built new homes. Using energy wisely goes a long way toward preserving natural resources and improving air quality. 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(r)-qualified appliances and lighting. In 2008, ENERGY STAR(r)-labeled home standards will become a building code requirement in many towns on Long Island.

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 Prinivalli or Kristen Anderson at 631-940-3721.  To register online, visit www.unitedwayli.org and click the “Building Homes with ENERGY STAR(r)” link under the Events Calendar.  The cost for registration is $35 per person, which includes lunch.  The hours of the seminar are 8:30a.m. to 4:45 p.m., registration sign-in starting at 7:15a.m.

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.

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.lipower.org.

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