The city of Bridgeport has joined a statewide push that enlists a Higher Power for what the city terms a “first-of-its-kind partnership” to bring clean energy to low-income families.
The program operates under the acronym FREEDOM, which stands for Faith Restoration Empowerment and Economic Development Outreach Ministries Inc.
Its rollout Monday, Feb. 22, is at Shiloh Baptist Church, 477 Broad St., Bridgeport. The posted attendee list includes Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim; U.S. Rep. Jim Himes; a representative of U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy; Rev. Carl McCluster, senior pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church and managing director of FREEDOM Inc.; Bryan Garcia, president and CEO, Connecticut Green Bank; and Tom Neyhart, CEO of PosiGen.
Connecticut Green Bank has offices in Rocky Hill and Stamford that works to optimize public and private capital toward energy efficiency for homes, multifamily dwellings and buildings. PosiGen is a national energy company founded in Louisiana; its website says, “Going solar isn’t something that should be reserved for the wealthy.”
“This partnership will encourage families to become good stewards of the environment, while lowering their energy costs and creating greater financial security,” the city said in a statement announcing the rollout. “Under the direction of the Rev. Carl McCluster, FREEDOM’s statewide network of churches and grass roots organizations will give thousands of Connecticut homeowners access to affordable solar energy provided by PosiGen, with the financial support of the Connecticut Green Bank.”