Long Island Green Homes Consortium officially launches

On June 3rd, 2011, the Long Island Green Homes Consortium officially launched an Island-wide initiative. Finally ALL Long Islanders can quickly, simply and economically make their existing homes more comfortable, energy efficient and cost effective. The seven independent towns of Babylon, Brookhaven, Huntington, Islip, North Hempstead, Smithtown and Southampton worked together with partners at LIPA, National Grid and NYSERDA for the benefit of ALL Long Islanders. The new Long Island Green Homes program will help homeowners be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save money all year long, while offering local contractors an opportunity to increase business and create 'green' jobs that can only be filled locally. Clearly this can only be described as the start of something big. For those savvy readers that are thinking they have heard this before-you are part right. In July 2008, Babylon town supervisor Steve Bellone (2009 USGBC-LI honoree) launched the Long Island Green Homes program. At that time Bellone said, "Although it begins in Babylon it is my belief that this program should be implemented across Long Island and throughout New York State." To that end the consortium was created in December 2009 when led by the town of Babylon and aided by CDC of Long Island and the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, all seven towns came together to work out a program that could benefit all Long Islanders. Now some 18 months later what started as one individual's idea has turned into a practical reality for every homeowner on Long Island. To be clear, by coming together to create this one-stop shopping option, every residential homeowner, not just residents in towns noted by the visionary leadership of the consortium charter members can participate and benefit. Join the thousands of Long Islanders who have already upgraded their homes. Improve the value of your home and save money, while you help bolster Long Island's economy and create green jobs. Simply go to www.LongIslandGreenHomes.org to take the first step to the start of something big.