16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.

In a meeting Tuesday, officials from the Town of Hempstead unanimously voted to enforce stricter energy standards for the construction of all new homes, making it the seventh of 13 Long Island towns to adopt such a law.

EnergyStar labeled homes save approximately 30 percent on energy costs compared with traditional new homes. The Neighborhood Network first proposed the Hempstead legislation two years ago but met initial resistance from builders, who have since decided to support the effort.

"This measure will reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the energy bill for town residents that live in the new homes for decades to come, and it will promote economic growth by pumping up the green construction industry," said Neal Lewis, the network's executive director.