April 15, 2008
JRNL 80-B
Mo Krochmal
Green Levittown: Project Memo
By Amanda Brody (amandaeva27@gmail.com)
When I first started doing research for this project, I began to think more about doing an environmental story about going green. Green has been everywhere, in supermarkets, clothing stores and some furniture stores too. It seemed as if everywhere I turned there was something new about green. So why not take it to the local level? I had read about Levittown becoming the Nation’s first green suburb but I didn’t know too much about it until I began my research and I found out a lot of people I knew who are from Long Island, didn’t even know about Green Levittown.
So what I wanted to do a story on was, what Green Levittown was about, but when I started doing interviews and I realized that green affects the economy just like everything else. Most of the green initiatives ask people to spend money they don’t have so the plans are not as effective as one may think at this time.
After having my research done, it came to interviewing time. Luckily, I didn’t really have that much trouble reaching my contacts, although there were a few people I wanted to talk to that never got back to me. The one thing about interviewing people that I learned is that their busy and so are you and it’s hard to find a time that fits into everyone’s schedule. Some re-scheduling had to be done but by Tuesday, April 7, 2008 all my interviews were complete.
Then came the hardest and most time-consuming part of the project: putting it all together. It took quite a while for me to figure out which bytes I wanted to use and cutting them down to two minutes was quite another challenge. I did my stand ups in the beginning before I actually got any of the interviews and looking back on it, I think they would have worked better if they had been done afterwards.
Transcribing the videos was a very tedious mission but it had to be done. It actually helped me figure out what clips to use for the main video and the quotes to write my story.
I also decided to do two photo essays to correspond with the Green Levittown story. The first was taken at Alure Home Improvements, where they have a green kitchen on display. In the captions I included what everything was made of and put a link to the photo slide show in the additional links part of the project. I also did another one on recycling; more so as a visual piece other than anything else.
I also decided to create a website for the project on synthasite to better organize all my materials and also provide a nice, clean presentation for the future.
I put a lot of work and effort into this project and am very happy with the results, even though it took over my life for two weeks. I am actually very excited to have something like this in my portfolio because it really shows the convergence of journalism and how I can actually be a converged journalist; doing video, photography, a website and of course the written article.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Green Levittown
Green Levittown
AMANDA: (0:00:00) County executive Tom Suozzi, wants Levittown to become the nation’s first green suburb, setting an example as it once did during post-war America for housing. Businesses in the area are offering discounts on energy star appliances as well as other goods. For some it may be just as simple as changing a light bulb.
ADRIENNE: (0:17:19) Green Levittown is an innovative program that brings together businesses, government, the public and also environmental groups. And our role right now is to do the community outreach and the community education.
HUBIE: (0:31:05) We are able to go in and show people how their home is performing from an energy stand point. We do various tests to come to specific numbers such as air loss and how good the insulation is in the house.
DENNIS: (0:44:18) Bio-fuel is a renewable source using agricultural resources. It decreases the omissions that are released into the environment and you don’t need to change your existing equipment to use it.
GARY: (0:56:08) The least expensive of the initiatives is to replace light bulbs
HUBIE: (1:05:29) All of these items do save money in the long run, they start saving money from the day it is done.
AMANDA: (1:08:17) But how do residents feel about going green?
GARY: (1:11:15) It’s difficult at this point now to ask people to dig into their pockets and spend $500, $2,000.
TOM: (1:21:17) I keep getting offers on a new oil burner that’s much more efficient and more green so to speak and I can’t afford to do it right now.
ADRIENNE: (1:21:19) What we are finding is that the economy is a hindrance for people to lay out money, but with the same token now with oil up way over $100 a barrel and home energy bills really skyrocketing. It really forces people to have to think about well I have to save money.
DENNIS: (1:46:26) Is it going to get larger? I really do believe so; I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a green Long Island come up in the near future.
AMANDA: (1:53:26) Outside of Tri-County flea market in Levittown, this is Amanda Brody reporting for Nassau News.
AMANDA: (0:00:00) County executive Tom Suozzi, wants Levittown to become the nation’s first green suburb, setting an example as it once did during post-war America for housing. Businesses in the area are offering discounts on energy star appliances as well as other goods. For some it may be just as simple as changing a light bulb.
ADRIENNE: (0:17:19) Green Levittown is an innovative program that brings together businesses, government, the public and also environmental groups. And our role right now is to do the community outreach and the community education.
HUBIE: (0:31:05) We are able to go in and show people how their home is performing from an energy stand point. We do various tests to come to specific numbers such as air loss and how good the insulation is in the house.
DENNIS: (0:44:18) Bio-fuel is a renewable source using agricultural resources. It decreases the omissions that are released into the environment and you don’t need to change your existing equipment to use it.
GARY: (0:56:08) The least expensive of the initiatives is to replace light bulbs
HUBIE: (1:05:29) All of these items do save money in the long run, they start saving money from the day it is done.
AMANDA: (1:08:17) But how do residents feel about going green?
GARY: (1:11:15) It’s difficult at this point now to ask people to dig into their pockets and spend $500, $2,000.
TOM: (1:21:17) I keep getting offers on a new oil burner that’s much more efficient and more green so to speak and I can’t afford to do it right now.
ADRIENNE: (1:21:19) What we are finding is that the economy is a hindrance for people to lay out money, but with the same token now with oil up way over $100 a barrel and home energy bills really skyrocketing. It really forces people to have to think about well I have to save money.
DENNIS: (1:46:26) Is it going to get larger? I really do believe so; I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a green Long Island come up in the near future.
AMANDA: (1:53:26) Outside of Tri-County flea market in Levittown, this is Amanda Brody reporting for Nassau News.
Gary Hudes, Councilman
Gary Hudes: Councilman
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Councilman, tell me how you feel about the green initiatives by Tom Suozzi as a resident and as a political leader in the community?
GARY: (0:11:04) Well, the green initiative in general is a great idea. The fact is that our future depends upon us becoming more eco-friendly more green. The county’s effort is certainly applauded. I don’t know how much success is being met at this point because it’s a tough time to do it. Right now people are not…people don’t have a lot of extra money to spend. And the initiatives right now as part of the green Levittown require, a great deal of it requires an input of money. Whether you are going to work on making your home more efficient, it requires money and the initiative to do that would cost a fair amount of money. And with the economy as it is softening a bit, it has become a little bit tough for people. And so it’s difficult at this point now to ask people to dig into their pockets and to spend $500, $2000 to insulate their homes and to make their homes more air tight or go out and buy more energy efficient appliances. The least expensive of the initiatives to replace light bulbs is one that actually interesting because I did it many years ago in my home and I went to the compact florescent bulbs. There is no downside to it except the fact that some of them just take a little longer to warm up. It’s not a bad price to pay to have it wait a few minutes for the lights to become brighter to a) save money and b) to make for a better environment.
GARY: (2:11:01) The Town of Hempstead’s been doing green initiatives for a long time now, with my partner Kate Murray, as town supervisor. As a matter of fact jus today I was sitting at a traffic light in Hempstead and I was looking at town hall and if you look on the south side of town hall you will see photocells covering the entire top of the building. Kate’s office and her conference room are all powered by those solar panels that are there. The town has also invested in some hybrid garbage trucks; we have some electric vehicles now in parks. Levy park as a matter of fact, which was a landfill at one point and was closed. The state wanted the town to cap it, which would have cost us a lot of money and instead at that time through supervisor Richard Giordano we capped it and turned it into a nature preserve. And again if your talking about going green you go to the top of the level preserve which is located on Merrick road and the Meadowbrook parkway. Go up to the top, it’s a nice healthy walk and when you get up to the top you’ll find a wind vain up there and that is actually powering, the wind is powering the water distribution at the top where there’s a pond
GARY: (3:41:18) As a matter of fact as part of the town’s green Levittown, we’ve been going to the schools. This school (Northside School) actually is on the list to be done but just yesterday we were in Stokes school in Island Trees where we are doing a program on recycling in the schools. The great thing about it is that the kids now are getting into the whole green idea. The fact that the county started the green Levittown if it does nothing more than get people aware, of thinking about greening, thinking about saving energy, thinking about the future then it’s accomplished its’ goal in my opinion. I think that the fact that we’ve had more and more children in the schools over the last year asking about recycling, interested in recycling and they’re not getting paid to do it. They’re taking it upon themselves to say you know what I want to do my part I want to do what I can, it’s my future. And you know I’m 52 years old, I don’t have the same future they have. And when we were kids there was no such thing as recycling and now it’s important, it was important then, only we didn’t know it. Now it’s certainly very very important so anything that helps is a great idea.
AMANDA: (5:10:11) Besides putting in the compact fluorescents have you done anything for your home?
GARY: (5:14:21) Yes as a matter of fact, actually many years ago I had an energy audit done. And just about 3 weeks ago, I had an energy audit done of my house, they actually did a wind test of my house and it cost me over $2,000 to have my house insulated better, the wind resistance cut down in the house or I should say increased they actually sealed a lot of the input into my house. And they showed me on this machine that the air is not blowing in and out of my house as much as it was before. They have told me that I’m going to save x amount of dollars by next year. I guess next year I will see if what they did is actually saving me money or else I’ll actually be calling the company back to come visit me again. But that’s why I speak first hand when I say a lot of people at this point don’t have $2000 to spend on that. I had been planning this all along to do some additional insulation in my house, so I was prepared for it. The greening has taken some people by surprise that they weren’t prepared to spend the extra money. But yea I did it in my house; I’m a firm believer. I’m very big on recycling. My term in office, I’m in office almost 9 years, I’ve personally delivered probably about 7,000 recycling bins to people’s homes because I want people to be encouraged to recycle. Because it’s such a waste to see broken cans and bottles and plastic bottles on the side of the road when I know they can go back in and be recycled. And the paper that we’re doing in the schools and I think it’s every 10 foot stack of paper you save a tree and for every group of bottles or cans it will take a couple of hours but it will run a television. All these things are important and they help are future.
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Councilman, tell me how you feel about the green initiatives by Tom Suozzi as a resident and as a political leader in the community?
GARY: (0:11:04) Well, the green initiative in general is a great idea. The fact is that our future depends upon us becoming more eco-friendly more green. The county’s effort is certainly applauded. I don’t know how much success is being met at this point because it’s a tough time to do it. Right now people are not…people don’t have a lot of extra money to spend. And the initiatives right now as part of the green Levittown require, a great deal of it requires an input of money. Whether you are going to work on making your home more efficient, it requires money and the initiative to do that would cost a fair amount of money. And with the economy as it is softening a bit, it has become a little bit tough for people. And so it’s difficult at this point now to ask people to dig into their pockets and to spend $500, $2000 to insulate their homes and to make their homes more air tight or go out and buy more energy efficient appliances. The least expensive of the initiatives to replace light bulbs is one that actually interesting because I did it many years ago in my home and I went to the compact florescent bulbs. There is no downside to it except the fact that some of them just take a little longer to warm up. It’s not a bad price to pay to have it wait a few minutes for the lights to become brighter to a) save money and b) to make for a better environment.
GARY: (2:11:01) The Town of Hempstead’s been doing green initiatives for a long time now, with my partner Kate Murray, as town supervisor. As a matter of fact jus today I was sitting at a traffic light in Hempstead and I was looking at town hall and if you look on the south side of town hall you will see photocells covering the entire top of the building. Kate’s office and her conference room are all powered by those solar panels that are there. The town has also invested in some hybrid garbage trucks; we have some electric vehicles now in parks. Levy park as a matter of fact, which was a landfill at one point and was closed. The state wanted the town to cap it, which would have cost us a lot of money and instead at that time through supervisor Richard Giordano we capped it and turned it into a nature preserve. And again if your talking about going green you go to the top of the level preserve which is located on Merrick road and the Meadowbrook parkway. Go up to the top, it’s a nice healthy walk and when you get up to the top you’ll find a wind vain up there and that is actually powering, the wind is powering the water distribution at the top where there’s a pond
GARY: (3:41:18) As a matter of fact as part of the town’s green Levittown, we’ve been going to the schools. This school (Northside School) actually is on the list to be done but just yesterday we were in Stokes school in Island Trees where we are doing a program on recycling in the schools. The great thing about it is that the kids now are getting into the whole green idea. The fact that the county started the green Levittown if it does nothing more than get people aware, of thinking about greening, thinking about saving energy, thinking about the future then it’s accomplished its’ goal in my opinion. I think that the fact that we’ve had more and more children in the schools over the last year asking about recycling, interested in recycling and they’re not getting paid to do it. They’re taking it upon themselves to say you know what I want to do my part I want to do what I can, it’s my future. And you know I’m 52 years old, I don’t have the same future they have. And when we were kids there was no such thing as recycling and now it’s important, it was important then, only we didn’t know it. Now it’s certainly very very important so anything that helps is a great idea.
AMANDA: (5:10:11) Besides putting in the compact fluorescents have you done anything for your home?
GARY: (5:14:21) Yes as a matter of fact, actually many years ago I had an energy audit done. And just about 3 weeks ago, I had an energy audit done of my house, they actually did a wind test of my house and it cost me over $2,000 to have my house insulated better, the wind resistance cut down in the house or I should say increased they actually sealed a lot of the input into my house. And they showed me on this machine that the air is not blowing in and out of my house as much as it was before. They have told me that I’m going to save x amount of dollars by next year. I guess next year I will see if what they did is actually saving me money or else I’ll actually be calling the company back to come visit me again. But that’s why I speak first hand when I say a lot of people at this point don’t have $2000 to spend on that. I had been planning this all along to do some additional insulation in my house, so I was prepared for it. The greening has taken some people by surprise that they weren’t prepared to spend the extra money. But yea I did it in my house; I’m a firm believer. I’m very big on recycling. My term in office, I’m in office almost 9 years, I’ve personally delivered probably about 7,000 recycling bins to people’s homes because I want people to be encouraged to recycle. Because it’s such a waste to see broken cans and bottles and plastic bottles on the side of the road when I know they can go back in and be recycled. And the paper that we’re doing in the schools and I think it’s every 10 foot stack of paper you save a tree and for every group of bottles or cans it will take a couple of hours but it will run a television. All these things are important and they help are future.
Dennis Traina, VP Tragar Oil
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Ok, can you tell me a little bit about the company?
DENNIS: (0:01:28) Sure. My name is Dennis Traina and I’m the Vice President of Tragar Oil. I’m the third generation. We’ve been here for fifty years in Wantagh. We got involved with the green Levittown project, they actually seeked us out because we are a green energy company. What I mean by that is, from the paper that we use inside the office, to the energy star boilers we install, to the solar panels to the soybean blended heating oil that we deliver, I sort of think we are pioneers in bringing green energy to Long Island.
AMANDA: (0:37:26) You said the company’s been in business for over fifty years, has it always been green?
DENNIS: (0:43:08) No. Actually it’s an interesting story. It came from my sister who’s out in San Francisco and she pretty much sparked the green revolution over in San Francisco. And said you really have to pay attention to this and I did. And it went with my lifestyle; I’ve always been sort of living a green lifestyle. So six years ago it was.
AMANDA: (1:06:20) So how many homes, have recently, since the green initiatives from Suozzi, have been using your products?
DENNIS: (1:15:12) The project began in November. Since November, we’re responsible for two major initiatives. One is to replace as much heating equipment as possible, with energy star, high efficiency equipment. And I will mention that by replacing a heating system, the homeowner increases their efficiency of their heating system by 30 %. The average home uses about 800 gallons so they save 200 gallons of oil a year, by replacing their equipment. 200 gallons at $4 a gallon which is the current going rate, they’re saving approximately $800 a year just by installing the equipment. $800 times maybe 6 years, it pays for it self. It’s one of the greatest returns on your investment that homeowners can do to make their home a more efficient home.
AMANDA: (2:14:00) Now how much does it cost upfront? Is it more expensive upfront than a regular heating system?
DENNIS: (2:19:03) No. A heating system has pretty much has always been about the same, about $4500. There’s aggressive financing with green Levittown, with the Bethpage Federal credit union, where over a 10 year fixed loan the homeowner will actually pay a monthly payment and at the end of the year will make more money in the savings of the heating system than it will cost them to pay for the loans.
AMANDA: (2: 45:21) Can you tell me more about the soybean oil that you’re using?
DENNIS: (2:49:07) Sure. We use what is called a B5 blend, which is 5% soybean oil and 95% heating oil. We’re starting off with B5, they do b10, b20. But at this point the infrastructure on Long Island is best suited for B5 blend and what excites me about it is it’s starting something small and eventually, I don’t know if soybean will be the ideal choices, but we’re setting up an infrastructure for an alternative fuel. The reason why I don’t know if soybeans will be, as you’re probably aware they are a controversial issue as far as people how people are changing crops and destroying farm lands to make fuel based products. Ideally, about 5 years from know what we’re going to hopefully be selling is an algae based fuel It’s much healthier for the environment and it doesn’t affect the food chain.
AMANDA: (3:47:10) What do you think as a long island resident what Levittown is doing? How do you feel about it? And do you think it will eventually spread to the rest of the island?
DENNIS: (3:55:12) First I’m very proud of the project as an idea of how exciting the project is, tomorrow I leave for DC to help represent green Levittown at the national climate change summit. It got the attention as being the first project to actually take municipal government and local sponsors, like an oil company like myself and really change the mindset of one community and this summit how they do this and replicate this across the nation. So is it going to get larger? I really do believe so. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a green Long Island come up in the near future although there’s no budgeting for it yet.
DENNIS: (4:45:05) Bio-fuel is a renewable source using agricultural resources. It decreases the emissions that are released into the environment and it doesn’t cost anymore, you don’t need to change your existing equipment to use it. It also is a cleaner fuel meaning that when it runs through your heating system it actually cleans out the oil lines, cleans out the heating system so it requires less service, making the homeowner more satisfied.
AMANDA: (5:12:19) Do you have anything else you want to tell me about?
DENNIS: (5:17:16) So far the results since the project began in November, we’ve actually replaces 37 boilers which may not seem like a tremendous amount considering there are 17,000 homes. However, there’s only 5,100 who still have original equipment and their only 30 per cent done with the canvassing. The CCE is going door to door and there’s about a month delay between when we knock on that door and we actually speak to the homeowner and then the homeowner has to make a decision to change the equipment and then we actually have to do the installation. I can tell you that there are hundreds of leads we’re still working with. And we’ve done a nice number of conversions to bio heat where people have switched to Tragar oil, so I believe we are really making a difference in Levittown.
AMANDA: (6:05:01) Do you have a lot lined up for the future? Like you just said it takes a little while for it to turn around, for you to install it and everything? Do you have a lot of appointment in the next couple of months to do installments?
DENNIS: (6:20:21) Right now is a unique time for this project to be taking place. We’re obviously in an economic recession so to say. We’re asking people in green Levittown to put on new roofs, change their heating systems, go with solar panels, making large investments on their homes when their probably looking to save money on their tax returns rather than spend them. We have a lot of estimates out there and now it’s really a turn to see what people will choose. And if they were to evaluate the savings for making a green decision they will actually spend money today but save it tomorrow, which would really be the best decision they could make.
DENNIS: (0:01:28) Sure. My name is Dennis Traina and I’m the Vice President of Tragar Oil. I’m the third generation. We’ve been here for fifty years in Wantagh. We got involved with the green Levittown project, they actually seeked us out because we are a green energy company. What I mean by that is, from the paper that we use inside the office, to the energy star boilers we install, to the solar panels to the soybean blended heating oil that we deliver, I sort of think we are pioneers in bringing green energy to Long Island.
AMANDA: (0:37:26) You said the company’s been in business for over fifty years, has it always been green?
DENNIS: (0:43:08) No. Actually it’s an interesting story. It came from my sister who’s out in San Francisco and she pretty much sparked the green revolution over in San Francisco. And said you really have to pay attention to this and I did. And it went with my lifestyle; I’ve always been sort of living a green lifestyle. So six years ago it was.
AMANDA: (1:06:20) So how many homes, have recently, since the green initiatives from Suozzi, have been using your products?
DENNIS: (1:15:12) The project began in November. Since November, we’re responsible for two major initiatives. One is to replace as much heating equipment as possible, with energy star, high efficiency equipment. And I will mention that by replacing a heating system, the homeowner increases their efficiency of their heating system by 30 %. The average home uses about 800 gallons so they save 200 gallons of oil a year, by replacing their equipment. 200 gallons at $4 a gallon which is the current going rate, they’re saving approximately $800 a year just by installing the equipment. $800 times maybe 6 years, it pays for it self. It’s one of the greatest returns on your investment that homeowners can do to make their home a more efficient home.
AMANDA: (2:14:00) Now how much does it cost upfront? Is it more expensive upfront than a regular heating system?
DENNIS: (2:19:03) No. A heating system has pretty much has always been about the same, about $4500. There’s aggressive financing with green Levittown, with the Bethpage Federal credit union, where over a 10 year fixed loan the homeowner will actually pay a monthly payment and at the end of the year will make more money in the savings of the heating system than it will cost them to pay for the loans.
AMANDA: (2: 45:21) Can you tell me more about the soybean oil that you’re using?
DENNIS: (2:49:07) Sure. We use what is called a B5 blend, which is 5% soybean oil and 95% heating oil. We’re starting off with B5, they do b10, b20. But at this point the infrastructure on Long Island is best suited for B5 blend and what excites me about it is it’s starting something small and eventually, I don’t know if soybean will be the ideal choices, but we’re setting up an infrastructure for an alternative fuel. The reason why I don’t know if soybeans will be, as you’re probably aware they are a controversial issue as far as people how people are changing crops and destroying farm lands to make fuel based products. Ideally, about 5 years from know what we’re going to hopefully be selling is an algae based fuel It’s much healthier for the environment and it doesn’t affect the food chain.
AMANDA: (3:47:10) What do you think as a long island resident what Levittown is doing? How do you feel about it? And do you think it will eventually spread to the rest of the island?
DENNIS: (3:55:12) First I’m very proud of the project as an idea of how exciting the project is, tomorrow I leave for DC to help represent green Levittown at the national climate change summit. It got the attention as being the first project to actually take municipal government and local sponsors, like an oil company like myself and really change the mindset of one community and this summit how they do this and replicate this across the nation. So is it going to get larger? I really do believe so. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a green Long Island come up in the near future although there’s no budgeting for it yet.
DENNIS: (4:45:05) Bio-fuel is a renewable source using agricultural resources. It decreases the emissions that are released into the environment and it doesn’t cost anymore, you don’t need to change your existing equipment to use it. It also is a cleaner fuel meaning that when it runs through your heating system it actually cleans out the oil lines, cleans out the heating system so it requires less service, making the homeowner more satisfied.
AMANDA: (5:12:19) Do you have anything else you want to tell me about?
DENNIS: (5:17:16) So far the results since the project began in November, we’ve actually replaces 37 boilers which may not seem like a tremendous amount considering there are 17,000 homes. However, there’s only 5,100 who still have original equipment and their only 30 per cent done with the canvassing. The CCE is going door to door and there’s about a month delay between when we knock on that door and we actually speak to the homeowner and then the homeowner has to make a decision to change the equipment and then we actually have to do the installation. I can tell you that there are hundreds of leads we’re still working with. And we’ve done a nice number of conversions to bio heat where people have switched to Tragar oil, so I believe we are really making a difference in Levittown.
AMANDA: (6:05:01) Do you have a lot lined up for the future? Like you just said it takes a little while for it to turn around, for you to install it and everything? Do you have a lot of appointment in the next couple of months to do installments?
DENNIS: (6:20:21) Right now is a unique time for this project to be taking place. We’re obviously in an economic recession so to say. We’re asking people in green Levittown to put on new roofs, change their heating systems, go with solar panels, making large investments on their homes when their probably looking to save money on their tax returns rather than spend them. We have a lot of estimates out there and now it’s really a turn to see what people will choose. And if they were to evaluate the savings for making a green decision they will actually spend money today but save it tomorrow, which would really be the best decision they could make.
Hubie van Meurs, Contractor Alure
Alure Home Improvements: Hubie Van Muers
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Could you tell me what Alure’s role is in the Green Levittown initiative that Tom Suozzi invoked this year?
HUBIE: (0:07:18) Well, we are a home performance contractor so we are able to go in and show people how their home is performing from energy stand point. We do various tests to come to specific numbers such as air loss and how good the insulation is in the house. And then we can make proposals as to what can be changed to makes the house perform better, reduce its energy use which then in return will reduce the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that’s put into the atmosphere. So it’s healthier for the planet and it’s healthier for the inhabitant, we often make the houses more comfortable. But the key factor is that we can make the home more energy efficient.
AMANDA: (0:49:14) Now have you done any of these yet in Levittown, like made anything greener?
HUBIE: (0:54:22) Yes, we’ve actually done work on three homes so far in Levittown. We’re at the very early part of the process we’re expecting that there will be many more to follow. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment is doing the door knocking and the follow up calls, so there’s a lot in the pipeline where people have professed an interest and we have yet to get out to them and do the various testing we need to do.
AMANDA: (1:19:03) Now, when you were showing me that counter, can you just talk about the materials being used, recyclables and stuff to build new interiors, exteriors?
HUBIE: (1:29:10) Well on the interior we have this green kitchen display, there are cabinets that have finished on them with low VOC, VOC is volatile organic compounds so it doesn’t pollute from that stand point. There are countertops that are 100 per cent post consumer used materials. The counter top that I was showing you inside is 93 per cent crushed concrete and 7 per cent broken glass. Basically comes in many different colors but it’s 100 per cent recycled equipment. There’s also natural materials used in there, rather than different type of laminates the floor is a ceramic even after it’s useful period is done when it goes into a landfill it is not harmful in any way shape or form that products like linoleum or plastics may be.
AMANDA: (2:24:22) Why has Alure decided to participate in this?
HUBIE: (2:28:02) Well, the green Levittown initiative, we wanted to become partners in that because 1. We do have a very strong sense of community as a company; we give back in many different ways. And we recognize, senior management does and the owners that we contribute not as a company but as people to the harmful effects that our living does to the environment and we’re in a position to be able to try and reverse some of that. And the guys, who run this company, have their heads in the right place on these types of issues. Not only can we do some good for the environment, it can also be a profitable area as well.
AMANDA: (3:13:07) So how do you feel like this is going to affect the rest of Long Island? Do you think Levittown will set an example?
HUBIE: (3:22:07) Well yes I do believe it will set an example. There are actually already some, well let’s call them copycats, there is an organization that is working to do something similar for the town of Plainview. And there are other initiatives starting up around the island. We are working to stay involved in any and all of those that we can. But we do think it is something that is going to spread.
AMANDA: (3:46:17) How important do you feel these green initiatives are, just in general as a resident?
HUBIE: (3:53:15)Well I think it’s very important. We have been contributing to the demise of the environment here on long island and that’s something that’s a national issue. Whether you're not you believe in global warming, a good number people do, many scientists do believe that and if we don’t start paying attention and making some changes and not just talking about it but actually changing our behavior we run the risk of having a serious serious issue in the future. We’re still at a point where all scientists agree, we haven’t reached a tipping point but if we don’t change behavior, we may well get there.
AMANDA: (4:32:04) Now what are the costs of some of these greener materials? Are they more expensive?
HUBIE: (3:39:07) Nah, the materials themselves if you look at materials for a kitchen are right in that competitive range. It does not add to the cost significantly, minor if at all. All the measures or remediation action that we take in your home is going to have a payback period. Some of them will pay for themselves within a few years in energy savings other ones may take 10 or more years. The bottom line though is that all these measures that we take will save energy, it’ll reduce your cost to heat and cool your home and it will pay for itself over time. So the ultimate cost, there’s none, it’s a value there’s savings involved. The upfront cost of having the work done, can run anywhere from $1,000 to depending on the size of the house or the seriousness of the issues $5,000 or $6,000 or possibly more if your going to change out your heating system, etc.
AMANDA: (5:35:15) So basically what your saying is that it might cost more upfront but in the long run it will save you money?
HUBIE: (5:40:22) Absolutely.
AMANDA: (5:43:06) With the economy the way it is right now, would you recommend that for Long Islanders, it would be more efficient to upgrade their homes to greener energy and sealing them and stuff?
HUBIE: (5:54:24) You know it’s not just the sales me in me saying this, but in each and every case the answer is yes it does make sense to do it right a way. All these items do save money in the long run; they will start saving money from the day it is done. And that’s important .You can think of it this way some people don’t want to go and spend the $9 it may be to replace a single light bulb when you buy a compact florescent to replace an old incandescent bulb. But each day that you run that incandescent bulb you’re using four to five times more energy than you need to. So the sooner you can get just get past throwing that bulb out and putting that new compact fluorescent in the sooner you start saving money.
AMANDA: (6:36:00) Do you think there are any negative effects of going greener?
HUBIE: (6:40:18) Right now I don’t see any, of course there are some issues with one thing that I just spoke about, the compact fluorescent bulb actually has mercury it, so it can’t go into the regular landfill, it needs to be collected and disposed of properly after it’s useful life. But other than that, green is something that really is a win win win, it’s a win for the environment, it’s a win for us a contractors and it’s a win for the homeowner’s budget.
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Could you tell me what Alure’s role is in the Green Levittown initiative that Tom Suozzi invoked this year?
HUBIE: (0:07:18) Well, we are a home performance contractor so we are able to go in and show people how their home is performing from energy stand point. We do various tests to come to specific numbers such as air loss and how good the insulation is in the house. And then we can make proposals as to what can be changed to makes the house perform better, reduce its energy use which then in return will reduce the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide that’s put into the atmosphere. So it’s healthier for the planet and it’s healthier for the inhabitant, we often make the houses more comfortable. But the key factor is that we can make the home more energy efficient.
AMANDA: (0:49:14) Now have you done any of these yet in Levittown, like made anything greener?
HUBIE: (0:54:22) Yes, we’ve actually done work on three homes so far in Levittown. We’re at the very early part of the process we’re expecting that there will be many more to follow. The Citizens Campaign for the Environment is doing the door knocking and the follow up calls, so there’s a lot in the pipeline where people have professed an interest and we have yet to get out to them and do the various testing we need to do.
AMANDA: (1:19:03) Now, when you were showing me that counter, can you just talk about the materials being used, recyclables and stuff to build new interiors, exteriors?
HUBIE: (1:29:10) Well on the interior we have this green kitchen display, there are cabinets that have finished on them with low VOC, VOC is volatile organic compounds so it doesn’t pollute from that stand point. There are countertops that are 100 per cent post consumer used materials. The counter top that I was showing you inside is 93 per cent crushed concrete and 7 per cent broken glass. Basically comes in many different colors but it’s 100 per cent recycled equipment. There’s also natural materials used in there, rather than different type of laminates the floor is a ceramic even after it’s useful period is done when it goes into a landfill it is not harmful in any way shape or form that products like linoleum or plastics may be.
AMANDA: (2:24:22) Why has Alure decided to participate in this?
HUBIE: (2:28:02) Well, the green Levittown initiative, we wanted to become partners in that because 1. We do have a very strong sense of community as a company; we give back in many different ways. And we recognize, senior management does and the owners that we contribute not as a company but as people to the harmful effects that our living does to the environment and we’re in a position to be able to try and reverse some of that. And the guys, who run this company, have their heads in the right place on these types of issues. Not only can we do some good for the environment, it can also be a profitable area as well.
AMANDA: (3:13:07) So how do you feel like this is going to affect the rest of Long Island? Do you think Levittown will set an example?
HUBIE: (3:22:07) Well yes I do believe it will set an example. There are actually already some, well let’s call them copycats, there is an organization that is working to do something similar for the town of Plainview. And there are other initiatives starting up around the island. We are working to stay involved in any and all of those that we can. But we do think it is something that is going to spread.
AMANDA: (3:46:17) How important do you feel these green initiatives are, just in general as a resident?
HUBIE: (3:53:15)Well I think it’s very important. We have been contributing to the demise of the environment here on long island and that’s something that’s a national issue. Whether you're not you believe in global warming, a good number people do, many scientists do believe that and if we don’t start paying attention and making some changes and not just talking about it but actually changing our behavior we run the risk of having a serious serious issue in the future. We’re still at a point where all scientists agree, we haven’t reached a tipping point but if we don’t change behavior, we may well get there.
AMANDA: (4:32:04) Now what are the costs of some of these greener materials? Are they more expensive?
HUBIE: (3:39:07) Nah, the materials themselves if you look at materials for a kitchen are right in that competitive range. It does not add to the cost significantly, minor if at all. All the measures or remediation action that we take in your home is going to have a payback period. Some of them will pay for themselves within a few years in energy savings other ones may take 10 or more years. The bottom line though is that all these measures that we take will save energy, it’ll reduce your cost to heat and cool your home and it will pay for itself over time. So the ultimate cost, there’s none, it’s a value there’s savings involved. The upfront cost of having the work done, can run anywhere from $1,000 to depending on the size of the house or the seriousness of the issues $5,000 or $6,000 or possibly more if your going to change out your heating system, etc.
AMANDA: (5:35:15) So basically what your saying is that it might cost more upfront but in the long run it will save you money?
HUBIE: (5:40:22) Absolutely.
AMANDA: (5:43:06) With the economy the way it is right now, would you recommend that for Long Islanders, it would be more efficient to upgrade their homes to greener energy and sealing them and stuff?
HUBIE: (5:54:24) You know it’s not just the sales me in me saying this, but in each and every case the answer is yes it does make sense to do it right a way. All these items do save money in the long run; they will start saving money from the day it is done. And that’s important .You can think of it this way some people don’t want to go and spend the $9 it may be to replace a single light bulb when you buy a compact florescent to replace an old incandescent bulb. But each day that you run that incandescent bulb you’re using four to five times more energy than you need to. So the sooner you can get just get past throwing that bulb out and putting that new compact fluorescent in the sooner you start saving money.
AMANDA: (6:36:00) Do you think there are any negative effects of going greener?
HUBIE: (6:40:18) Right now I don’t see any, of course there are some issues with one thing that I just spoke about, the compact fluorescent bulb actually has mercury it, so it can’t go into the regular landfill, it needs to be collected and disposed of properly after it’s useful life. But other than that, green is something that really is a win win win, it’s a win for the environment, it’s a win for us a contractors and it’s a win for the homeowner’s budget.
Transcript: Adrienne Esposito, CCE
AMANDA: (0:00:00) Now what is the citizens campaign doing for Green Levittown?
ADRIENNE: (0:04:07) We are very involved in Green Levittown. Green Levittown is an innovative program that brings together businesses, government, the public and also environmental groups. Our role right now is do the community outreach and the community education so that the community of Levittown understands what their options and opportunities are to implement energy efficiency programs so that they can save money and save the environment at the same time. So what CC is actually doing is we hired a number of staff people to go door to door in the Levittown community and give out information, talk to members the community at their home and help them to understand the options. In addition CCE is also then doing follow up phone calls to those homes who have said that they are interested in knowing more and want to participate in the Green Levittown program. So we are doing extensive community outreach overall.
AMANDA: (1:02:07) How successful has the community outreach been in Levittown?
ADRIENNE: (1:05:07) It’s been fairly successful. There are 17,000 homes in Levittown and we have probably knocked on about 10,000 doors so far. And we have about 3,000 people who’ve said they would absolutely like to participate and implement some type of energy efficiency program in their home to reduce their carbon dioxide output, to save money and to also really combat global warming.
AMANDA: (1:29:24) Have anyone you’ve spoken to or your volunteers have spoken to, said anything about the economy being how it is now that they are not interested?
ADRIENNE: (1:39:26) Yes. It’s actually a double -edged sword. What we‘re finding is that the economy is a hindrance for people to lay out money but by the same token now with oil up way over $100 per barrel and peoples home energy bills skyrocketing it really forces people to have to think about well I need to save money. And the best way that people can to save money by putting in new boilers, which are now 30% more efficient so when you use 30% less oil, you’re saving a lot of money. So there are programs designed for green Levittown that will help people save money right now as soon as they implement them and reduce their oil costs. That’s actually a pretty big deal for people. So on one hand the economy makes it harder but on the other hand the cost of energy is so high right now and so daunting for the average home owner that it is really an impatience for people to make some changes.
ADRIENNE: (2:39:19) Anything from insulating peoples attics, putting in new windows so that the energy from the home is not literally going out right the window. As I said earlier new boilers, even just changing the light bulbs from the old standard light bulb to the new compact fluorescent bulbs. This will save people, if they change over 5 light bulbs per home, it can save them up to $200 per year in energy costs. So there are real and meaningful things and changes that people can make, that can really will make a difference in their household budget and make a difference for the environment.
AMANDA: (3:17:00) Do you think that Levittown will eventually spark other communities on Long Island and in the nation to follow in their path?
ADRIENNE: (3:23:28) We’re really hoping that Green Levittown will be a pilot program for an expanded concept such as this. So we started with Green Levittown, we’re learning a lot as we’re doing it. There was a lot that we needed to adjust and to improve on the program. We’re hoping that it will be a prototype for many communities to come. Perhaps the next step is to expand to one Suffolk and then do green Long Island. This is something that can be replicated and is designed to be able to be replicated throughout communities across the country. All communities should be implementing energy efficiency because it really is the cheapest, the easiest, the most effective thing we can do immediately to reduce our energy consumption, reduce our energy bills and save the plant at the same time.
AMANDA: (4:14:07) Is there anything else you would like to add about the campaign or about green Levittown?
ADRIENNE: (4:17:26) Well the goal of green Levittown is to get 5,000 people to participate in some way in this program. And our hope is to reduce the carbon dioxide output by 10% in the Levittown community. We should know probably in a couple of months if we’ve attained that goal or not but we’re really finding that people need a couple of months also to think about and implement these kinds of changes. So whether they’re going to get new windows or insulation or whatever it is that this takes time. So this is a yearlong project, we’re in it for the long haul. It’s not going to be a quick easy fix to save the planet and to save money. But yet it’s very real and very doable. So we’re excited about it and we think it’s going to be a big success.
ADRIENNE: (0:04:07) We are very involved in Green Levittown. Green Levittown is an innovative program that brings together businesses, government, the public and also environmental groups. Our role right now is do the community outreach and the community education so that the community of Levittown understands what their options and opportunities are to implement energy efficiency programs so that they can save money and save the environment at the same time. So what CC is actually doing is we hired a number of staff people to go door to door in the Levittown community and give out information, talk to members the community at their home and help them to understand the options. In addition CCE is also then doing follow up phone calls to those homes who have said that they are interested in knowing more and want to participate in the Green Levittown program. So we are doing extensive community outreach overall.
AMANDA: (1:02:07) How successful has the community outreach been in Levittown?
ADRIENNE: (1:05:07) It’s been fairly successful. There are 17,000 homes in Levittown and we have probably knocked on about 10,000 doors so far. And we have about 3,000 people who’ve said they would absolutely like to participate and implement some type of energy efficiency program in their home to reduce their carbon dioxide output, to save money and to also really combat global warming.
AMANDA: (1:29:24) Have anyone you’ve spoken to or your volunteers have spoken to, said anything about the economy being how it is now that they are not interested?
ADRIENNE: (1:39:26) Yes. It’s actually a double -edged sword. What we‘re finding is that the economy is a hindrance for people to lay out money but by the same token now with oil up way over $100 per barrel and peoples home energy bills skyrocketing it really forces people to have to think about well I need to save money. And the best way that people can to save money by putting in new boilers, which are now 30% more efficient so when you use 30% less oil, you’re saving a lot of money. So there are programs designed for green Levittown that will help people save money right now as soon as they implement them and reduce their oil costs. That’s actually a pretty big deal for people. So on one hand the economy makes it harder but on the other hand the cost of energy is so high right now and so daunting for the average home owner that it is really an impatience for people to make some changes.
ADRIENNE: (2:39:19) Anything from insulating peoples attics, putting in new windows so that the energy from the home is not literally going out right the window. As I said earlier new boilers, even just changing the light bulbs from the old standard light bulb to the new compact fluorescent bulbs. This will save people, if they change over 5 light bulbs per home, it can save them up to $200 per year in energy costs. So there are real and meaningful things and changes that people can make, that can really will make a difference in their household budget and make a difference for the environment.
AMANDA: (3:17:00) Do you think that Levittown will eventually spark other communities on Long Island and in the nation to follow in their path?
ADRIENNE: (3:23:28) We’re really hoping that Green Levittown will be a pilot program for an expanded concept such as this. So we started with Green Levittown, we’re learning a lot as we’re doing it. There was a lot that we needed to adjust and to improve on the program. We’re hoping that it will be a prototype for many communities to come. Perhaps the next step is to expand to one Suffolk and then do green Long Island. This is something that can be replicated and is designed to be able to be replicated throughout communities across the country. All communities should be implementing energy efficiency because it really is the cheapest, the easiest, the most effective thing we can do immediately to reduce our energy consumption, reduce our energy bills and save the plant at the same time.
AMANDA: (4:14:07) Is there anything else you would like to add about the campaign or about green Levittown?
ADRIENNE: (4:17:26) Well the goal of green Levittown is to get 5,000 people to participate in some way in this program. And our hope is to reduce the carbon dioxide output by 10% in the Levittown community. We should know probably in a couple of months if we’ve attained that goal or not but we’re really finding that people need a couple of months also to think about and implement these kinds of changes. So whether they’re going to get new windows or insulation or whatever it is that this takes time. So this is a yearlong project, we’re in it for the long haul. It’s not going to be a quick easy fix to save the planet and to save money. But yet it’s very real and very doable. So we’re excited about it and we think it’s going to be a big success.
Transcript: Tom Butcher Levittown Resident
Tom: Levittown Resident
AMANDA: (0:00:00) What do you think about the green Levittown initiatives, as a resident?
TOM: (0:06:18) I think it’s good, it’s not that inconvenient either. There’s recycling every Thursday. And basically all you have to do is get your plastics, glasses and stuff like that out and tie up your papers and put them in paper bags. So it’s a good thing.
AMANDA: (0:21:16) What about some of the other programs they are offering, like special discounts on things?
TOM: (0:27:14) I think that’s a big key because I think they have to give people, some people the reason to recycle unfortunately because some people just need that little push to get them going. So if they find out you can get a discount if you switch to star dishwashers or something like that, then I think that’s a good thing.
AMANDA: (0:46:27) So how aware do you feel the community is about all these initiatives including the recycling stuff?
TOM: (0:54:11) It seems to be that they are doing a big push in the media. I’ve seen it in a couple of local papers; I’ve seen it on the news. I even had a company come to my door, going door to door letting people know about the program and giving them more information if they wanted. So I think they’re letting people know about it, which is good.
AMANDA: (1:12:01) If the plan included maybe like raising taxes, do you think it would be different?
TOM: (1:18:25) Yes that could be a problem. Especially Levittown, Nassau is one of the highest taxed counties in the country so that would not be a good thing. I think it should be the other way around where you get tax breaks the more you recycle.
AMANDA: (1:31:08) Now a lot these things you could buy, like the energy star appliances, or you know re-fixing your home so it’s more insulated and stuff. A lot of these things are more expensive upfront but people say they are worth it in the long wrong. Do you think that’s.. a lot of people might not pay for things upfront because of how the economy is now?
TOM: (1:51:03) I think that could be a problem right now. I’m definitely in that situation myself. I keep getting offers on a new oil burner that’s much more efficient and more green so to speak and I can’t afford to do it right now so that might be an issue right now.
AMANDA: (2:05:16) And about the recycling stuff, how important do you feel it is that everyone recycles?
TOM: (2:10:25) I think it’s important because it’s not a big deal. I’m not a you know a major god let’s save the environment person. To me I find it not a big deal to just put my stuff in the recycle box instead of the garbage can so it’s not a big deal to recycle and I think everyone should.
AMANDA: (2:26:20) How do you see Levittown in like ten years from now?
TOM: (2:33:26) Hopefully there will be some more changes in it. I think like I said right now we wont see much of a change because of money being so tight and especially with the amount of taxes everyone in Levittown has to pay. But when things get better I think you’ll see a lot more changes with the people and the houses will definitely be going more green.
AMANDA: (2:50:17) And do you think that this initiative that Levittown is doing will spark other initiative around Long Island as well as in the country?
TOM: (2:58:02) Yea I do. I think other towns are going to catch on the bandwagon of going green. And they want to say hey we want to get in on that too and look good. Especially when you got politicians involved they want to say hey let’s look good. So I think it’s going to spread.
AMANDA: (0:00:00) What do you think about the green Levittown initiatives, as a resident?
TOM: (0:06:18) I think it’s good, it’s not that inconvenient either. There’s recycling every Thursday. And basically all you have to do is get your plastics, glasses and stuff like that out and tie up your papers and put them in paper bags. So it’s a good thing.
AMANDA: (0:21:16) What about some of the other programs they are offering, like special discounts on things?
TOM: (0:27:14) I think that’s a big key because I think they have to give people, some people the reason to recycle unfortunately because some people just need that little push to get them going. So if they find out you can get a discount if you switch to star dishwashers or something like that, then I think that’s a good thing.
AMANDA: (0:46:27) So how aware do you feel the community is about all these initiatives including the recycling stuff?
TOM: (0:54:11) It seems to be that they are doing a big push in the media. I’ve seen it in a couple of local papers; I’ve seen it on the news. I even had a company come to my door, going door to door letting people know about the program and giving them more information if they wanted. So I think they’re letting people know about it, which is good.
AMANDA: (1:12:01) If the plan included maybe like raising taxes, do you think it would be different?
TOM: (1:18:25) Yes that could be a problem. Especially Levittown, Nassau is one of the highest taxed counties in the country so that would not be a good thing. I think it should be the other way around where you get tax breaks the more you recycle.
AMANDA: (1:31:08) Now a lot these things you could buy, like the energy star appliances, or you know re-fixing your home so it’s more insulated and stuff. A lot of these things are more expensive upfront but people say they are worth it in the long wrong. Do you think that’s.. a lot of people might not pay for things upfront because of how the economy is now?
TOM: (1:51:03) I think that could be a problem right now. I’m definitely in that situation myself. I keep getting offers on a new oil burner that’s much more efficient and more green so to speak and I can’t afford to do it right now so that might be an issue right now.
AMANDA: (2:05:16) And about the recycling stuff, how important do you feel it is that everyone recycles?
TOM: (2:10:25) I think it’s important because it’s not a big deal. I’m not a you know a major god let’s save the environment person. To me I find it not a big deal to just put my stuff in the recycle box instead of the garbage can so it’s not a big deal to recycle and I think everyone should.
AMANDA: (2:26:20) How do you see Levittown in like ten years from now?
TOM: (2:33:26) Hopefully there will be some more changes in it. I think like I said right now we wont see much of a change because of money being so tight and especially with the amount of taxes everyone in Levittown has to pay. But when things get better I think you’ll see a lot more changes with the people and the houses will definitely be going more green.
AMANDA: (2:50:17) And do you think that this initiative that Levittown is doing will spark other initiative around Long Island as well as in the country?
TOM: (2:58:02) Yea I do. I think other towns are going to catch on the bandwagon of going green. And they want to say hey we want to get in on that too and look good. Especially when you got politicians involved they want to say hey let’s look good. So I think it’s going to spread.
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