First Light Renewable Energy, LLC (First Light), a consortium of Long Island professionals has been formed to help redefine the way Long Island’s electric power supply is generated. First Light’s goal is to insure that solar energy is part of the equation of a “greener” future for Long Island through a stable, secure, source of power generation and implementation.
First Light’s principals represent architectural and engineering expertise paired with a keen knowledge of Long Island commercial real estate, zoning law and solar energy design. They include Neil MacDonald and Steven Saraniero, partners at William F. Collins, AIA Architects, LLP (WFC) in Setauket and Keith P. Brown and David N. Altman, partners of the Garden City law firm Brown & Altman, LLP. Private financing and additional real estate expertise is provided to First Light by Louis Fortunoff and Isidore Mayrock, members of the Fortunoff family, and former partners in Fortunoff Stores until a majority stake was sold to a private equity firm in 2005.
“Long Island is hungry to explore alternative energy options on a larger scale,” explained Neil MacDonald. “The history of power generation on Long Island is at a watershed moment, where the time has arrived to diversify the means of generating electric power to include renewable energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.”
Last April, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting companies like First Light to submit plans for creating and integrating third-party solar generating sites into LIPA’s power grid. First Light is also working on developing solar installations for commercial and municipal properties on Long Island.
“In addition to reducing Long Island’s dependence on fossil fuels and unstable foreign energy sources, solar energy helps decrease Long Island’s carbon-footprint through clean, renewable, energy sources,” added First Light partner Keith P. Brown. “The development of solar energy generating sites across Long Island will also provide long-term work and opportunities for local businesses and diversify Long Island’s labor force. It’s a win-win.”
As lifelong Long Islanders who have chosen to work and raise their families here, the First Light team is particularly invested in Long Island’s future. William F. Collins, AIA Architects, LLP, is a Setauket, New York, based firm with a focus on green building design founded in 1986, with more than 50 employees on Long Island. Among its clients are Verizon, KeySpan Energy, T-Mobile and the United States Postal Service. Keith P. Brown and David N. Altman together have more than 30 years of combined experience in commercial real estate, leasing, land use, zoning law, municipal law and environmental law on Long Island. For nearly 30 years, Mr. Fortunoff and Mr. Mayrock were responsible for the real estate, as well as operational activities of the Fortunoff organization. They have completed over $500 million in real estate transactions in varying capacities, including developer, owner and partner. Key to their success has been their understanding of the political process and their ability to guide projects through difficult zoning and approval procedures.
