THE REVERE ADVOCATE - Friday, August 9, 2019 Page 3 First subscriber joins shared solar energy program JOE-4-SUN Tara Vocino may be reached try thinks it’s a joke, but when the temperature reached 100 degrees, people suffered and died.” However, Kennedy said, they can prevent the onset of higher temperatures by using alternative power sources and enhancing communication. DiGaetano, a single mother Bryant Street resident Nancy DiGaetano is the fi rst subscriber to JOE-4-SUN, a low-income community shared solar energy program. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) By Tara Vocino B ryant Street resident Nancy DiGaetano embraced former U.S. Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II, who is now chairman/president of the Citizens Energy Corporation, when she recently became the fi rst subscriber to JOE-4-SUN, a low-income community shared solar energy program. DiGaetano will benefi t from solar energy without having to install rooftop solar panels. “I’m so excited and privileged to be able to partake in cleaner air and water to benefi t our future – that is our children,” DiGaetano said, adding Citizens Energy Chairman Joseph Kennedy said climate change will kill humans and animals if people don’t take charge of the future. that her electric bill is now 25 percent lower. “It was installed three weeks ago and I’ve already started saving $150 per year.” Kennedy was joined by Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, who guided the creation of the state’s low-income community shared solar access initiative through the legislature. “Citizens Energy, of Boston, is the leader in the nation when it comes to clean energy,” DeLeo said. “I hope to pass a climate resiliency program and sign it into law.” Kennedy lauded DeLeo for paying attention to the facts and the science of climate change. “He’s kept Massachusetts in line,” Kennedy said. “Half of the counof fi ve, and the other 3,500 lowincome households across the state will receive a guaranteed savings of approximately $150 per year. New solar arrays are slated to be built in Ayer, Springfi eld and Spencer. To be eligible for JOE-4-SUN, subscribers must also be National Grid customers. Mayor Brian Arrigo said the city will be purchasing half the power from two of Citizen’s Energy’s ground-mounted, utility scale solar arrays. He said the city is proud to continue its partnership with Citizens Energy in an eff ort to assist low-income households. “Few programs can provide such multifaceted advantages to the public good,” Arrigo said. “The city of Revere has already benefi ted from our partnership with Citizens Energy under a previous solar contract that will save us some $4 million in electricity expenses over the life of the project.” For additional information, visit citizensenergy.com/Joe4Sun, call 855-563-4786 or email JOE4SUN@citizensenergy.com. at printjournalist1@gmail.com.
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