Town of Babylon Supervisor Steven Bellone was joined by members of the Blumenfeld Development Corp to introduce the use of the newly created extension of the Long Island Railroad into the Tanger Outlet site which will provide for debris and materials to be transported by railway rather then by truck.  This innovative creation will help to eliminate additional traffic around the Tanger site as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere.

"Our nation is on the cusp of a major building boom and it is critical to our future that moving forward we build green," said Supervisor Bellone.  "The Town of Babylon was the first municipality in the country to adopt a comprehensive Green Building Code for all new commercial, industrial and multi-residential buildings over 4,000 square feet. Since our buildings consume 40% of the energy we use, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way for us to significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, protect our environment and save on energy costs is to build green."

The Blumenfeld Development Corporation has agreed to build the Tanger site in accordance with LEED standards and the creation of this railway is one way the developers are meeting the required standards for building green. Ed Blumenfeld, of Blumenfeld Development Group, which is building the Tanger Outlet said, "We are proud to help lead the way in building green on Long Island."

This is the latest program to be announced under Babylon's Green Building Initiative which was launched earlier this year.  In July, the Town joined with the Long Island Builder's Institute, the Long Island Housing Partnership and the USGBC - LI Chapter to announce the building of the first Long Island Zero Energy Home in Wyandanch.  The Zero Energy Home will showcase sustainable building materials and renewable energy technologies for contractors, planners, architects, government officials and builders.  In August of this year, Babylon became the first town on Long Island, in partnership with the Town of Brookhaven, to mandate that all new homes be constructed in accordance with energy star standards.

Even though the new code will be phased in over time, the Town is encouraging all new projects to meet the new standard by offering incentives.  Any new project that meets the LEED standards will be fast-tracked through the permit process.