LIPA Releases Outline for Update to Draft Energy Master Plan, Public Input Critical to Plan’s Success

Uniondale, NY - January 31, 2008 - Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) President and CEO Kevin S. Law today announced the release of a Draft Outline for the updated LIPA Energy Master Plan.  Law called for an update to the existing plan last month.

“LIPA’s Energy Master Plan needs to reflect recent changes in the industry, ever soaring fuel prices, supply, changes in the markets and environmental regulations and policy,” said Law.  “Since the completion of the initial plan, we now have better information on cost and performance of resource options. Additionally, many new sources of energy require a lead time of 5-7 years for development.  The time is now to start looking at what resource options will best meet our energy needs for the future.”

Rapid growth in both local demand and energy requirements drove LIPA’s initial energy plan, which was developed through a public process in 2003 and 2004 gathering input from customers and other interested parties from across Long Island. The existing plan attempted to create a blueprint that could serve as a guide for the Authority through the year 2013.  The current Energy Plan is being updated for the period 2008 - 2017.

LIPA’s initial Energy Plan contained over 100 specific goals and targets and achieved a staggering success rate. “Over 80 percent of the initial plan’s goals have been completed, implemented, or approved and funded,” said Law. “However, over the past four years, conditions have dramatically changed with higher fuel prices, improvements in technology and new state and federal energy policies.  We must update the plan to account for these changes, and I want the plan to be developed through an open, transparent process.  Input from the people who live and work
in LIPA’s service territory is critical to our success in this regard.”

Release of the outline is the first of a five step public process that will be used develop the Energy Master Plan that will be followed by:

* Soliciting public input on the draft outline,
* Developing a Draft Energy Master Plan based on the outline and the public input received,
* Holding public hearings on the Draft Energy Master Plan,
* Revising the plan based on the public hearings and new informationthat may become available after the preparation of the Draft and issuance of a Final Energy Master Plan for consideration by the LIPA Board of Trustees.

The outline identifies 40 energy efficiency, power generation, repowering, transmission, and renewable energy technologies that will be evaluated in the plan, the various resource scenarios that will be evaluated and the economic, production efficiency, reliability and environmental evaluation metrics that will be used to assess the plan.

A copy of the Draft Outline is attached and is also available on LIPA’s web site at: http://www.lipower.org/company/powering/energyplan08.html

Public input on the Outline will be received through various methods including written comments, input on LIPA’s web site, e-mail and statements made at public hearings (locations and dates to be announced).  It is anticipated that public hearings will take place in late February and early March.  Written, e-mail and web based input will
be accepted throughout the process and for one week after the last public hearing.  Written comments can be emailed to EnergyPlan@lipower.org or sent through regular mail to:

Kevin S. Law
Attn: LIPA Energy Master Plan
Long Island Power Authority
333 Early Ovington Blvd, Suite 403
Uniondale, NY 11553

“The Energy Master Plan must be comprehensive, covering all aspects of electricity planning; and it needs to be a real plan that gets implemented, not another white paper that does nothing  more than sit on the shelf collecting dust,” Law said. “It must be flexible and include a robust portfolio of resource options while addressing new initiatives such as Governor Spitzer’s call to reduce emissions 15% by the year 2015 and changes in environmental regulations and policy such as carbon footprint reductions.”

After conclusion of the public input period, a Draft LIPA Energy Master Plan will be developed with a targeted release in the summer of 2008.

Thereafter, additional public hearings will be held to receive input on the analysis performed and to hear from interested parties on recommendations to the Final LIPA Energy Master Plan.  The plan will then be revised and presented to the LIPA Board of Trustees for their consideration.  Release of the Final LIPA Energy Master Plan is targeted for late 2008 or early 2009.

LIPA proposes to organize the LIPA Energy Master Plan and supporting documentation as follows:

* Volume 1, Strategic Plan, will provide a description of LIPA’s Energy Master Plan for the period 2008 through 2017;
* Volume 2, Energy Primer, will provide an overview on the current state of the energy industry, background on LIPA, and a review of the initiatives LIPA is undertaking to promote customer understanding of the critical energy issues facing Long Island today;
* Volume 3, Technical Report, will provide detailed information regarding the planning process and the planning methodologies employed to create the Energy Master Plan;
* Volume 4, Response to Comments, will summarize the comments received during the Energy Master Plan related public hearings, organized according to similarity of contents; and
* Volume 5, Appendices, will provide additional and supporting details on studies, methodologies, and criteria used in the planning analysis.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, 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 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th 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: http://www.lipower.org.

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence New York Million Mom March Chapters

Washington, D.C. – New York has made good progress in passing laws to keep criminals and other dangerous people from easily obtaining guns, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The new redesigned scorecards are being released today for all 50 states.
 
New York earned 51 points out of a total of 100 and has the nation’s sixth strongest gun laws.
 
New York has in place some key laws to prevent gun trafficking, such as licensing of firearm owners and requiring background checks all gun sales at gun shows.  “New York is doing a better job than most states in adopting laws designed to make it harder for criminals and other dangerous people to access guns,” said Jackie Kuhls, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
 
The Brady Scorecards are designed so that states can score up to 100 points across five major categories of laws: Curbing Firearm Trafficking; Strengthening Brady Background Checks; Child Safety; Banning Military-style Assault Weapons; and making it harder to carry Guns In Public Places.  The national state-by-state scores are available in complete category-by-category detail at www.bradycampaign.org.
 
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and the New York Million Mom March Chapters of the Brady Campaign are looking to improve New York’s state laws and score by cracking down on corrupt gun dealers and adding microstamping to the state’s crime solving ballistics tools.  The latter should involve improving crime gun and ballistic evidence protocols.  The gun dealer legislation improves dealer security requirements and inventory records, and requires that employees receive training on how to identify “straw purchases.”  The legislation passed the New York Assembly last session but Senate leaders refused to act.
 
“While we are proud of New York’s progress and national ranking, more needs to be done, said Edie Smith, President of the New York Million Mom March Chapters.  “We won’t stop until we attain a perfect score of 100.”
 
The Brady Campaign scorecards provide a new and redesigned analysis of whether states are enacting the laws needed to protect citizens from gun violence.  The new scorecards also show states how their gun laws can be strengthened and their scores improved.
 
The categories covered by the New York 2007 scorecard are as follows: 

• States can earn up to 35 points by taking all measures needed to “Curb Firearms Trafficking.”  States can fully regulate the gun dealers within its borders, limit bulk purchases of handguns, provide police certain technology to identify crime guns, and require lost or stolen guns to be reported to the police.  New York scored 15 points in this category.
• States can earn up to 25 points by “Strengthening Brady Background Checks.”  This involves requiring universal background checks and requiring a comprehensive permit in order to purchase firearms.  Short of universal background checks, states can also close the gun show loophole, at least requiring background checks for all gun show sales.  New York scored 13 points in this category.
• States can earn up to 20 points by “Protecting Child Safety” when it comes to guns.  States can require that only childproof handguns be sold within their borders, require child safety locks sold with each weapon, hold adults accountable for keeping guns away from kids and teens, and require gun purchasers to be at least 21 years of age.  New York scored only five points in this category.
• States can earn up to 10 points by “Banning Military-style Assault Weapons,” as well as banning high-capacity ammunition magazines.  New York scored eight points in this category.
• In a miscellaneous category, states can earn up to 10 points by making it harder to carry “Guns In Public Places” (except for trained law enforcement and security) and by “Preserving Local Control” over municipal gun laws.  This includes keeping guns out of workplaces and college campuses, not forcing law enforcement to issue concealed handgun permits on demand, not permitting “shoot first” expansions to self-defense laws, and not preventing cities from passing their own gun laws. New York scored all 10 points in this category.

We acknowledge the research of Legal Community Against Violence on state gun laws.  Their publication, “Regulating Guns in America,” and website served as a basis for our analysis.  For more information about Legal Community Against Violence, see www.lcav.org.
 
As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies.  The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities. 
 
For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke’s blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/.  Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.

NYIT Elects Louis C. Grassi to its Board of Trustees
 
Old Westbury, N.Y.,  Jan. 29, 2008 —New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) has announced the election of Louis C. Grassi, CPA, CFE, of Old Westbury, N.Y., to its board of trustees.

Mr. Grassi is the managing partner of Grassi & Co., a full-service tax, accounting, technology, and business and management advisory firm headquartered in Lake Success, N.Y. Founded in 1980, the firm also provides services to its clients internationally through its affiliation with Moore Stephen International Limited.

A member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Mr. Grassi has served as an executive board officer for the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants.  He is a contributing editor to the Corporate Controller’s Manual and was editor of the Journal of Construction Accounting & Taxation. In addition, he was a member of the editorial advisory board of CPA Managing Partner Report, The CPA Journal, and other industry publications. Mr. Grassi is a member of the Nassau County (N.Y.) comptroller’s audit committee and also serves on the board of BRT Realty Trust and Flushing Financial Corporation. He is the former chairman of the Education & Assistance Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that provides a wide array of educational, vocational, and counseling services to more than 45,000 people each year in the New York metropolitan area.

“Lou is a highly respected business and community leader,” said NYIT Board of Trustees Chairperson Linda Davila (B.S. ’78). “He has been a long-time supporter of NYIT and will be an invaluable resource and addition to our board.”

Mr. Grassi holds a business administration degree in accounting from Queens College.  He completed postgraduate courses in taxation and earned the designation of certified fraud examiner (CFE) from the National Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
 
About NYIT
NYIT is the college of choice for more than 15,000 students enrolled in more than 100 specialized courses of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in academic areas such as architecture and design; arts and sciences; education; engineering and computing sciences; health professions, behavioral, and life sciences; management; and osteopathic medicine. As a private, nonprofit, independent institution of higher learning, NYIT embraces an educational philosophy of career-oriented professional education for all qualified students and supports applications-oriented research to benefit the greater global community. Students attend classes at NYIT’s campuses in Manhattan and Long Island, as well as online and in a number of programs throughout the world. To date, more than 73,000 alumni have earned degrees at NYIT. For more information, visit www.nyit.edu.
 
# # #

Jazz Great Teddy Charles to Play Free Concert for Winterfest 2008
 
Riverhead, NY (January 29, 2008)—Winterfest 2008 is proud to present a free concert by legendary jazz great Teddy Charles, at the Duck Walk North winery on Saturday, February 23, at 2:00 pm.

Captain Ted Charles, owner of the Skipjack Pilgrim, is considered to be one of the great jazz vibraphonists and composers of all time, playing with such jazz legends as Charlie Mingus, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. As a student at Julliard in the mid 1940s, he haunted New York’s jazz clubs, occasionally sitting in with the bands on vibes or piano. His break came unexpectedly one night when he was asked to sit in on piano with Coleman Hawkin’s band for the overdue Thelonious Monk. Soon after, Charles began to appear regularly with the top jazz groups of the day, like Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Buddy De Franco, playing alongside and writing for such jazz stars as Coltrane, Parker, Max Roach and Miles Davis. In the early 1950s he began leading his own groups, composing, producing and recording original works such as No More Nights, Blues Become Elektra and Word from Bird. Charles recently appeared with Max Roach, David Amram, and Lee Konitz. For more information on Teddy Charles’ jazz chops, please see www.teddy-charles.com.
 
“JAZZ ON THE VINE” will be the theme of the 2008 Long Island Winterfest, which will run from Feb. 8 to Mar. 9, 2008 across the East End. The program will feature local jazz musicians performing at winery tasting rooms every weekend afternoon over the five-week period. The musical calendar will be supplemented by special offers and promotions at tourism-related businesses and cultural venues throughout the region.  2008 Winterfest events are being organized by the Long Island Wine Council, the East End Arts Council, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing, the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau with support from American Express and WLIU. Winterfest was conceived in 2006 to generate increased business on the East End during the slowest part of the year by promoting a calendar of activities and offers. The program has grown to include many businesses, but this will be the first time that the promotion is adopting a musical theme.  For more information, see www.liwinterfest.com.

Presentation Series Offer New Ways for Losing Weight, Improving Overall Health, And Significantly Reducing Chronic Pain
 
Smithtown, NY (January 28, 2008) – Dr. Brent Reynolds, Chiropractic Neurologist, announced today his 2008 schedule of workshops to be held at his Smithtown practice, New Life Chiropractic.   “Living a Low Glycemic Lifestyle” and “Reducing Chronic Inflammation and Preventing Disease – Naturally” are the themes of the two monthly workshops.  
 
According to Dr. Reynolds, “Whether the goal is to lose weight, control cholesterol, triglyceride or blood glucose levels, or reduce pain, both seminars highlight the need to be aware of the foods we eat.   By simply paying stricter attention to the Glycemic Index (GI) of the foods that comprise our diets, overall health can be improved, without necessarily giving up what we love.”
           
Participants in the Inflammation workshop will learn how proper nutrition can help in the reduction of chronic pain.    Dr. Reynolds will discuss the dangers of chronic inflammation and will identify those foods that cause and those that reduce pain and inflammation.   In addition, he will offer realistic, anti-inflammatory eating advice for the busy person.
 
In his GI Lifestyle workshop, Dr. Reynolds will explain the science behind a food’s GI rating – the number assigned to different food groups to rate carbohydrate-rich foods according to their effect on blood glucose levels.  The lecture will discuss how the body reacts, absorbs, and breaks down specific foods.  By learning which foods are high and which are considered low glycemic, attendees can adopt simple lifestyle changes to improve their health, burn fat, and increase energy.
 
The workshops alternate each month and are free of charge, however reservations are required.   The 2008 schedule is as follows:  

“Reducing Chronic Inflammation and Preventing Disease – Naturally”
January 28, 2008  
March 24
May 26  
July 28 
September 29 
November 17
 
“Living a Low Glycemic Lifestyle”
 
February 25
April 28
June 23 
August 25 
October 27 
December 15

For more information or to make a reservation for one of the complimentary workshops, contact Dr. Reynolds’ office at 631 265-1223.  Space is limited.

About Dr. Brent Reynolds and New Life Chiropractic 
Dr. W. Brent Reynolds is a board-certified Chiropractic Neurologist and has been in practice for the past 10 years.  He is currently an adjunct professor of neurology and kinesiology at the New York College of Health Professions. A graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic, Dr. Reynolds has been featured  in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association and a major Washington D.C. newspaper for his work with special needs patients.   Dr. Reynolds can be reached at his practice New Life Chiropractic in Smithtown, Long Island at 631 265-1223 or via the internet at www.newlifechiropractic.com.

Coalition working to build support and educate community on marriage equality
 
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, is teaming with Empire State Pride Agenda, Marriage Equality New York and the New York Civil Liberties Union to host an educational forum to raise support for the legalization of same-sex marriage.  The forum follows the passage of pro-marriage equality legislation in the New York State Assembly in June of 2007.  The New York State Senate is unlikely to take up the measure as the senate’s anti-equality leadership declared the bill “dead on arrival.”
 
“We need to keep the marriage momentum moving forward,” said Human Rights Campaign National Field Director Marty Rouse. “HRC is working in New York to help energize the GLBT community with an eye on this November’s elections, the results of which will have a significant impact on the future of marriage equality in the state.  It is very possible that New York will be the next state with full marriage equality.”
 
In 2006, the New York Court of Appeals ruled against marriage equality, expressly stating that this is a question for the Legislature to resolve.  Currently, same-sex couples and their children are denied access to the more than 1,500 rights and responsibilities that accompany a marriage license under New York and federal law.
 
WHAT:          
Marriage Equality Forum
 
WHO:           
The Human Rights Campaign
Empire State Pride Agenda
Marriage Equality New York
New York Civil Liberties Union
 
WHEN:          
Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
 
WHERE:       
Central Synagogue of Nassau County
430 DeMott Avenue
Rockville Centre, New York 11570

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

Celebrate the Year of the Rat at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater
 
The Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street rings in the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Rat, with dancing, live theatre and the Lion Troupe on Sunday, February 3rd at 3pm.  The program is sponsored by Agovino and Asselta LLP with additional season sponsorship from Harding Real Estate and Wachovia Bank.
 
Chinese Theaterworks returns with The White Snake, a well-known and beloved Chinese fairy tale, tells of an immortal snake-spirit who weds a young man, much to the consternation of a nosy, opinionated monk. The production retells their exciting romance using a blend of Kun Opera and shadow theater.
 
Also returning are the talented youth of the Chinese Center on Long Island bringing the lovely ribbon dancers and spectacular Lion Troupe.
 
Join us to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the whole family. -  A great afternoon of fun, culture, music and dancing.
 
Tickets are $15.  Please call 516 767-6444 or visit www.landmarkonmainstreet.org for tickets and information.
 
Landmark on Main Street is a not-for profit community center, located at 232 Main Street in Port Washington that houses the beautiful Jeanne Rimsky Theater.

Opportunity for a Lasting Legacy of Art with the East End Arts Council 
 
Riverhead, NY —The East End Arts Council is excited to announce the dates for the upcoming “Tile Parties,” at which donors to the Carriage House Restoration Project are able to paint ceramic tiles to be installed in the building as a lasting legacy, while, at the same time, help raise much-needed funding for equipment and programming.  There are two ‘parties’ scheduled for February, one on Tuesday, February 19th and the other on Thursday, February 21st.  Both sessions are from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, and will take place in the Carriage House itself (133 East Main St., Riverhead). Master ceramics artist Clare Bennett will be on hand on the 21st to assist.  There is a $50 donation per tile painted and installed; all materials are included.  The parties are open to all; registration and pre-payment are required.

Participants might be inspired by the existing 75 tiles, which were created over the last few years at similar tile parties by children, artists, teachers, and many other community members, and were unveiled at the Carriage House Grand Opening on September 8, 2007. Sen. Ken La Valle, who was instrumental in procuring funding for the project, was on hand to see the beautifully hand-painted wall mosaic, which will continue to grow as more tiles are painted and added.  And, although the building is open and being used for various workshops and classes (like Life Drawing on Thursday nights and the Artist in Residence program), there remains a need to raise additional funds for all the great, planned community projects.

For more information or to register for a party, please call 631-727-0900.
 
###

Laura Helms
Communications Coordinator
East End Arts Council
133 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631.727.0900 

Learn About Drug Education Prevention through Films & Discussion, Questions & Answers

OAKDALE, NY - Dowling College Health Services is featuring a Drug Education Prevention Program sponsored free of charge by Town of Islip ACCESS.  This program will run on Wednesdays from February 6 to May 14, 2008 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dowling College’s Rudolph Campus in Oakdale in Fortunoff Hall & Racanelli Center.

The schedule is as follows:

February 6 ……..Overview of Substance Abuse and Addiction…………….FH Study
February 13 ……Alcohol and Alcoholism………………………………FH Study
February 27 ……Overview of Prescription Drug Abuse…………………..FH Study
March 5 …………Cocaine, Crack, Heroin, and Methadone……………….FH Study
March 12 ……….Young People: Drugs of Abuse: Marijuana-Club Drugs…….FH Study
March 26 ……….Women and Substance ……………………………….FH Study
April 2 ……………Co-Dependency and ACOA………………………….FH Study
April 9 ……………Substance Abuse and The Elderly: A Deadly Mix……..FH Study
April 16 ………….Parents: Get Informed……………………………FH Study
April 30 ………….Violence and Alcohol/Drugs: The Anger Continues……..RC 317
May 7…………….Health Risks of Substance Abuse……………………FH Study
May 14…………..Recovery: Issues, Resources and Relapse: Prevention…..FH 110

This program is open to all students, staff and community. There is a certificate offered for completion of series.  For more information, call 631-224-5330.

About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus
in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.

1st Battalion 69th Infantry Soldiers Heading for Afghanistan 

When:  Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:00 pm

Where: Suffolk Community College, Sports & Exhibition Center, Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, New York. 

Why: Over 500 people including families and friends will join with local dignitaries and special guests  to support Long Island members of the famed Fighting 69th [1st Battalion, 69th Infantry (Light), NY Army National Guard] at a formal ceremony as they are deployed to Afghanistan.  The LI members of the Fighting 69th will be part of a 700 Soldier Security Force built around the 2nd squadron 101st Cavalry, which will provide security for an international team of Soldiers and Police officers charged with providing training for the Afghan National Army and Police Force for a one-year period.  The soldiers begin Federal Active Duty on January 17, 2008 and will depart for Fort Bragg for approximately two months of training before deploying to Afghanistan.

See: This is a formal send-off ceremony, an emotionally moving and touching event which includes a recognition of our soldiers, squad demonstration of the capabilities of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division, as well as a moving invocation and addresses from such notables as: 

• LTC Charles T. Crosby, Commanding Officer 1/69th Infantry
• Lt. Lou Delli-Pizzi, LI Fighting 69th
• Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy
• Congressman Steve Israel
• Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone
• Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley
• Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan
• MG {R}Anthony Kropp, USA/USAR

HISTORIC NOTE:

More than 6,000 members of the New York Army National Guard have been called to federal active duty for service mostly in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. Deployment levels peaked in 2004, when more than 3,500 troops assigned to nearly a dozen different units were on duty.  About 600 New York National Guard Soldiers are presently serving on active duty.