U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Launches "Green Scene East"

U.S. Green Building Council-Long Island Chapter announced the launching of “Green Scene East,” the monthly membership meetings of the USGBC-LI’s dynamic East End Committee.

The East End 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, Feb. 11 at Southampton Publick House, 40 Bowden Square in Southampton.

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 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 New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr., the Committee initiated the Property Tax Exemption for LEED Certified buildings that passed unanimously in the New York State 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 goals.

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,“ Sammy Chu, Chairman of the USGBC-LI Board of Directors said. “Some of the most exciting ideas in Green Building have germinated from the Committee and we have all benefited from their leadership.”

The cost of the USGBC-LI East End Committee meetings is $10 for members and $15 for non-members, which includes dinner.

Sign up for your local daily Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts here.

More on Patch:

• Snow Won’t Stay Away, Plans Another Visit to Long Island
• Cops: Distraction Burglars Steal $50K From Elderly Glen Cove Couple
• Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting Outside Deer Park Bar
• Four Injured in Hicksville House Blaze
• Suffolk Police Officers Honored for Fire Rescue
• February 3-Suffolk Arrest Report
• Officials: Plainview Grad Lands Top AP Exam Score
• 12 Job Openings Nearby: Hair Stylist, Executive Chef, Account Executive