Inspired by the voluntary efforts of two local nonprofits to reduce energy use and costs, a Suffolk legislator is considering requiring similar efforts by all nonprofits receiving county funds.

The Suffolk Y in Commack cut its energy bills by $75,000 after taking efficiency measures.John M. Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset, told Long Island Business News he expects to introduce a bill on the issue next month.

"There's no reason any entity benefiting from public dollars should not have the highest efficiency that can be brought to bear," Kennedy said at a recent Hauppauge Industrial Association event. "So the missions of all these agencies are met while having the energy needs delivered in the most efficient fashion."

The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center recently undertook energy-efficiency measures, cutting its electric bills by about $75,000 a year. Long Island Cares, in the Hauppauge Industrial Park, saved $16,000 annually after implementing suggestions from a free energy audit.

Sullivan said his "impetus is to maximize county dollars for agencies" by requiring them to get energy audits provided free by the state. And groups can obtain help through a new state on-bill financing program, letting them pay for the measures on their electric bill, where payments are calculated not to exceed savings.

Kennedy, meanwhile, sees other benefits to energy efficiency for Long Island nonprofits, including the need to generate or at least import less energy if groups become efficient.

"Long Island has the highest smog concentration on the East Coast," he said. "What better way to combat that than to talk about energy upgrades?"