USGBC-LI "shows the money" to Long Island business community

On the evening of Monday January 25, the Long Island chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC-LI) held "Show Me The Money," an event designed to demonstrate to the Long Island building community the tremendous direct financial benefits available when building and renovating in an environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient manner. USGBC-LI chairman Vince Capogna said, "In four years we have never had an event this large and had it fill up this quickly." According to USGBC-LI, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) alone has over $800,000 available to each and every project that registers to build with USGBC's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. The renewed Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) makes available $1.80 per s/f of building space in tax deductions, which can also amount to a six figure dollar amount on top of the utility rebates. National Grid has incentives reaching up to $250,000 as well. "While we often speak of energy savings, productivity and health benefits, this is an example of actually receiving a big check to take to the bank," said Capogna. "There are many great reasons to 'build green;' this program is designed to definitively show how and where you can actually receive money for doing so." The event was structured with an "association showcase" in the early part of the evening, along with dinner and networking, then a moderated roundtable discussion between four panelists followed by dessert and coffee with additional networking. The showcase included invited non-profit associations from across Long Island, each with a table display highlighting their organization and its commitment and affiliation to green building. The panelists included Joe Rocco, assistant program manager for LIPA's Commercial Construction Program; Ken Camilleri, senior engineer with National Grid; Charles Goulding, attorney, CPA, and president and founder of Energy Tax Saver's Inc; and Rudy Holesek, president of Apollo HVAC Corp. The discussion was moderated by Capogna, president of Synergy Green Building Group, Inc. USGBC-LI thanks the exhibiting associations which included ASHRAE Long Island Chapter, Building Owners and Managers Association, Building Commissioning Association, CoreNet Long Island Chapter, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), the Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, and Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island (CIBS). USGBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. USGBC developed the LEED building rating system, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. USGBC's core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. USGBC-LI works to bring these values to the communities of Long Island.