United Way of Long Island has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) in support of the $2.2 million fundraising goal for the organization’s Net Zero Energy Building campaign.
This effort will ultimately transform United Way’s 31,000-square-foot headquarters in Deer Park into a building that produces as much energy as it uses. With 576 PV solar modules at 400 watts each this project will display one of the largest rooftop systems of any not-for-profit commercial building, excluding universities and hospitals, in New York State – as well as high-performance air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging. Among other programs, the facility houses job skills training in clean energy construction for low-income young adults and veterans, as well as amenities for disaster relief and preparedness. The annual energy savings of more than $65,000 from the project will be reinvested to support United Way’s mission and vision.
Thomas Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of the Long Island Power Authority said, “United Way is setting the bar for not-for-profit organizations across Long Island to reduce both their carbon footprint and energy costs and reinvest the savings in their mission, benefitting all Long Islanders. United Way has a long-standing commitment to clean energy, including job training programs for low-income young adults and veterans, that LIPA is proud to support.”
“We are grateful to LIPA for their support, as it will make a significant impact to helping United Way decrease our energy expenses and increase our ability to assist individuals and families in accessing quality education, achieving financial stability, and leading healthy lives,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island. “We all look forward to opening the doors of our net zero building that will be an admirable example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together for a great cause.”
LIPA’s contribution adds to the initial jumpstart with a New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) Economic Development grant, up to $1 million, as well as a commitment from Brookhaven National Laboratory Associates, in-kind engineering and design donated by Cameron Engineering and thanks to Wallace Eannace Associates Inc., the project will receive HVAC and heat pumps in-kind from Gree North America.
All gifts will be permanently recognized on a Commemorative 3-D Solar Panel Donor Wall Listing, sorted by giving level, adjacent to the Net Zero Digital Dashboard prominently displayed in United Way’s lobby and waiting area. To learn more about supporting the Net Zero Energy Building campaign, visit www.unitedwayli.org/energychallenge.
Photo Caption: United Way Energy Committee Co-Chair Robert B. Catell, Chairman of the Board of Stony Brook University’s Advanced Research and Technology Center (AERTC) and Chairman of the National Offshore Wind Research and Development Consortium (NOWRDC); Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island; United Way Energy Committee Member Thomas Falcone, CEO of the Long Island Power Authority; and United Way Energy Committee Co-Chair and United Way Board Member David L. Calone, Jove Equity Partners LLC.