Green Levittown

Leading by example. How we're turning America's fisrt suburb into America's first "green" suburb.

The story of Levittown and how Tom Suozzi, the League of Conservation Voters' 2008 Environmentalist of the year, is leading (and greening) by example.

The entire American idea of the house, the dog, the yard and the picket fence was born in Levittown. In 1947 it was a Potato farm, and then a few months later it was a booming new community that inspired the entire concept of suburbia.

Now we're making it America's first totally green suburb. Here's how:

1) "We set up a partnership with County Government, local leaders, a team of national and local corporations, the Citizens Campaign for the Environment and the people of Levittown.

2) "We knocked on doors, talking to thousands of school children and held community events to educate and inform Levittown families on how to make their homes "green" to increase the energy efficiencies of their appliances and to save money at the same time.

By taking this fight to the streets and neighborhoods of Levittown, we are showing that environmental leadership doesn't have to come from Washington or Albany. It can come from right next door. As we speak, there are residents in Levittown who have heard our appeal and are greening their own homes.

Our efforts will reduce Levittown's carbon footprint by over 10% in just over a year and prove to the rest of the state, and the nation, that if we can do it here, we can do it anywhere. Energy independence isn't an unattainable goal. It's common sense for the common good and we can make it happen.

Success in Levittown is one of many ways that Tom Suozzi has been leading by example: Here's more:
-Under Tom's leadership, Nassau has preserved hundreds of acres of open space.
-Existing open space and park lands have been restored and preserved.
-Organic farms and markets are being opened and we are introducing and encouraging better nutrition options for our kids.
-Protecting and preserving both our drinking water supply and out coastal waterways.