USGCB-LI to launch "Green Scene East"

The U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island (USGBC-LI) chapter has launched "Green Scene East," the monthly membership meetings of the USGBC-LI's East End committee. The committee serves the five eastern townships of Riverhead, Southold, Greenport, Shelter Island, Southampton and East Hampton, and consists of leaders and innovators in the East End sustainable building community. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 11 at Southampton Publick House, 40 Bowden Sq. At each meeting, attendees will have an opportunity to network with USGBC-LI members and industry professionals. In addition, presentations on key issues and current topics in sustainable building will be given by distinguished experts representing a broad range of fields related to green practices. "The USGBC-LI East End Committee has been a highly effective local leader in advocating for sustainable and resilient building practices," said committee chair Frank Dalene. "We look forward to the active participation of committee members, local residents and building industry professionals to help us reach maximum awareness and implementation of green building practices on the East End." The East End Committee has made significant contributions to sustainable building on Long Island. The concept for the Climate Resilience and Recovery Program, now the flagship program of the preeminent Peconic Institute in East Hampton, was born in the USGBC-LI East End committee. Additionally, with NYS assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr., the committee initiated the Property Tax Exemption for LEED Certified buildings that passed unanimously in the NYS assembly and senate, and was adopted unanimously in the Town of Southampton and Village of Sag Harbor. Moving forward, the Committee's ambitious projects will include continuing to encourage the remaining East End towns and villages to adopt the Property Tax Exemption for LEED Certified buildings and to adopt similar 100% renewable energy Dalene, who is also chair of the East Hampton Energy Sustainability Advisory Committee, recently led the East Hampton Town Board to adopt a community-wide goal of achieving 100% renewable energy in electricity by 2020 and 100% equivalent renewable energy in transportation and heating fuels by 2030. "We are very excited about the future efforts of the East End Committee. Some of the most exciting ideas in Green Building have germinated from the Committee and we have all benefited from their leadership," said Sammy Chu, Chairman of the USGBC-LI Board of Directors. The cost of the USGBC-LI East End Committee meetings is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, which includes dinner. All are welcome.