The following article is from the June 2007 issue of

[1]

Over the course of the last four months, a group of environmental leaders on Long Island have been meeting to discuss energy issues on Long Island. According to Neal Lewis, Executive Director of Long Island Neighborhood Network [2], "The Energy and Environmental Round Table started because there is so much going on with energy, but on a day-to-day basis, there is no environmental policy. These groups decided to step it up and get something done."

And who are these groups involved? They are environmental groups with a stake in energy policy. This ‘working-group' includes: Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Friends of the Bay, Group for the South Fork, Healthy Planet, Neighborhood Network, New York League of Conservation Voters, Rauch Foundation, Renewable Energy Long Island, Sierra Club, and Sustainable Long Island.

The meetings of the Round Table are held once a month and last for three hours - the first hour is set aside for official business, and the last two hours are discussions with guest speakers. Previous speakers have Included Dan Zaweski of LIPA (that discussion went on for four hours!), US Representative Steve Israel, New York Assemblyman Mark Alesi, and most recently, Long Island Regional Planning Board Director Michael White. Lewis said that the group has reached out to Senator Marcelino and Assemblyman Sweeney, but have not been able to coordinate a date.

Lewis also said that the group would collectively like to reach more people by holding public forums, collaborate with other coalitions, and coordinate with state and federal energy lobbyists, but for now, the group Is building up their own agenda to become the 'clear and consistent' voice on energy policy on Long Island.