#beexboard

The Building Energy Exchange, a non-profit dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in the built environment, is proud to announce the election of Robert F. Lurie of the New York Power Authority to their Board of Directors, and the appointment of sitting board member Donna De Costanzo of the Natural Resources Defense Council to the position of vice-chair.  

January 29, 2018

New York, NY – The Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex), an independent non-profit, advances energy efficiency in the built environment through education, training, and exhibits at a stunning Manhattan resource center. Working closely with major City and State agencies, private sector real estate firms, and design and engineering leaders, BE-Ex develops critical resources and training for a sector that is central to New York City and State’s climate action plans. The BE-Ex Board of Directors reflects the diverse set of stakeholders that influence the performance of buildings in our city and region.   “The New York Power Authority has a long history of support for the Building Energy Exchange and its work helping New York State meet its clean energy targets,“ said Robert F. Lurie, executive vice president, chief financial officer, and chief strategy officer for New York Power Authority. “As a member of its board of directors, I look forward to providing direction and more hands-on collaboration in this important work.”   “I am thrilled to serve as BE-Ex's vice-chair,” said Donna De Costanzo, director, eastern region for the Climate & Clean Energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Building efficiency is a crucial element of New York’s fight against climate change, and BE-Ex plays an important role in that effort, engaging a wide range of stakeholders and providing critical resources and educational opportunities.”   “We are honored to work with these two industry leaders,” said Richard Yancey, BE-Ex’s executive director, “and the rest of our accomplished Board of Directors, as we expand our newly renovated energy efficiency center of excellence. With their guidance and support we are poised to significantly accelerate and scale our impact advancing the sustainability of our built environment and ensuring the building sector meets the most important challenge of our generation.”   Robert F. Lurie, newly elected to serve on the Building Energy Exchange's Board of Directors, is the New York Power Authority's (NYPA) executive vice president, chief financial officer, and chief strategy officer. He joined NYPA in 2012 as head of the newly formed strategic planning department, where he led the management team in creating their strategic plan. He also was responsible for managing project development, project finance, research & development, and evaluating new business opportunities and technologies.   Prior to NYPA, Lurie was vice president of North American business development for Ocean Power Technologies in New Jersey, and directed mergers and acquisitions for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., in Pennsylvania. He served as the chief of strategic planning at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 2003-2007, leading the development of a 10-year, $20 billion strategic capital plan. Lurie replaces former New York Power Authority executive Jill Anderson, who recently relocated to California.    Donna De Costanzo will serve as Building Energy Exchange’s new vice-chair, and member of the Executive Committee. As director, eastern region for the Climate & Clean Energy program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Donna oversees NRDC’s work on climate and clean energy across the Eastern states and advocates for the implementation of policies that increase the deployment of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation options. Prior to NRDC, Donna was counsel to the New York City Council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, where she advised the Speaker and council members on environmental policy and crafted legislation on various issues, including sustainability planning, climate change, clean energy, air and water quality, endangered species, and green procurement. Before joining the New York City Council, Donna was an assistant regional counsel in the Waste & Toxic Substances branch of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II. She holds a BS in biological sciences from Cornell University and a JD from New York University School of Law.  

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About BE-Ex

The Building Energy Exchange is an independent nonprofit created to educate the building industry about innovative energy efficient technologies and strategies, increasing the demand for efficiency projects and reducing friction for decision makers and practitioners. The Building Energy Exchange convenes networking and knowledge sharing events, professional training, and energy efficiency exhibits, in their downtown resource center. Additionally, BE-Ex manages targeted demonstration projects and maintains a website of extensive virtual resources at www.be-exchange.org.

1. Share your favorite energy factoid.  Vornado’s electricity usage is about 1% of Zone J territory. That’s a lot of energy.

2. What energy conservation campaign would you start in your office or want to share with other offices?  Would love to do a better job with daylighting in our office. And with cutting off vampire loads overnight.

3. What are you reading right now?  The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace. A heartbreaking biography that took place not far from where I live in NJ.

4. What are some ways you reduce your carbon footprint at home?  We installed an additional HVAC zone on our second floor, so we don’t have to overcool the downstairs level at night to keep the bedrooms comfortable in the summer. I’m gradually converting to LED where the products look good. Also starting to compost in 2017!

Share your favorite energy factoid.  Cities account for more than 2/3 of the world’s energy consumption and more than 70% of global CO2 emissions.  It really highlights why it’s critical to focus on cities in developing clean energy solutions and the key role that cities play in the fight against climate change.  

What energy conservation campaign would you start in your office or want to share with other offices? In addition to reducing energy waste within your office, ensuring that it’s location-efficient, with good transportation options (access to public transit, biking and walking).  You can have a building with incredibly efficient systems and features, but if it’s only accessible by car, you’re really driving up your carbon footprint.  

What are you currently reading? The NY Times and “The Snail and the Whale”, by Julia Donaldson.  Seriously, with a toddler and pre-schooler at home, it’s hard to find much time at the moment for my own recreational reading.  But, I’m a big fan of this children’s book, which has the wonderful message of how you can accomplish great things, no matter how small you feel.

What are some ways you reduce your carbon footprint at home? By doing what I can, especially with respect to energy efficiency, since it’s not only good for the planet, but saves money and increases comfort.  Many of the things I’ve done are also made easier with some great city and state initiatives.  I recycle, compost, use programmable thermostats and efficient appliances, buy local food as much as I can, have installed insulation and switched to LED bulbs in my home, etc.