Brown relights nearly 5,000 Providence homes

Published Oct. 9, 2009 at 9:01 p.m.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The leaders of Brown University's Project 20/20 announced Friday that they have nearly completed their goal of installing energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs in 5,000 homes of low- and moderate-income familes in Providence.

The students met with U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse in the home of Sabina Asante off Reservoir Avenue to celebrate completion of the project. Hers was the first home retrofitted when the program began 18 months ago.

Brown Prof. Steven Hamburg launched the $250,000 program with donations from Brown and Walmart. He estimates that more than 66,000 light bulbs have been installed and they will provide $2 million in energy savings over the life of the bulbs - for a benefit of 8 to 1.

Asante said the bulbs have lowered her electric bills by $8 to $10 a month and she likes the light they produce. Student organnizer Yasmine Yu said she has fond recollections of working at Asante's house because their host served the students English tea and biscuits.

The group has a few thousand more bulbs to provide to low- to moderate-income residents. To apply, call 863-7976.

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