If there's one universal truth, it's that all of our bodies begin changing at some point. That's especially true for women who are over the age of 50. One day it seems like we're rolling out of bed with a pep in our step. The next, our emotions are out of control, our weight won't go down, and we constantly have hot flashes. If that sounds like you, don't worry â millions of other women worldwide are going through the same difficulties.
The fact of the matter is these symptoms are part of a natural process women go through. This change, called menopause, marks the end of a woman's ability to reproduce and menstruate. The average age for this to occur is 51, though it officially begins a year after a woman's final period. During this transition to menopause, estrogen and other hormones in a woman's body start to deplete When those hormones deplete, frequent and sometimes severe symptoms can manifest:
The symptoms of hormone deficiency can be scary for both women and their partners. That makes dealing with a hormone deficiency tricky because many symptoms are tied to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, and toxins in your body.
However, if you're getting older and dealing with some of the symptoms listed above, have hope. A solution to your hormone problems may be closer than you think. Hormone replacement therapy for women may help correct imbalances caused by menopause. These effective, safe treatments help many women throughout the menopause process and may even help them reclaim their youth.
To live a healthy life, hormone stability is very important for women. That's where the beauty of HRT treatments for women begins to shine because it balances hormones that would otherwise be altered due to menopause.
HRT treatments for women represent a revolutionary step toward living life without the pitfalls of old age. However, at Juventee, we understand that no two women, and by proxy, patients, are the same. That's why our team of doctors and specialists provide personalized treatment options for women, combining holistic treatment, nutrition, fitness plans, and more to supplement our HRT treatments.
Is HRT the answer if you feel exhausted, overweight, and moody? That's the million-dollar question that we're asked almost every day. And to be honest, it's hard to say without a comprehensive exam by an HRT expert at Juventee. What we can say is that when a woman's hormones are better balanced during menopause, she has a much better chance of enjoying life without the crippling symptoms that other women feel.
At Juventee, helping women reclaim their vitality and love of life is our top priority. While some HRT clinics see patients as nothing more than a means to make money, our team is cut from a different cloth.
The key to balancing your hormones and improving your well-being is a process that we have refined over time. The Juventee HRT process consists of a comprehensive review of your health and hormonal status. Our team then customizes your plan and prescribes treatments, procedures, and supplements under the guidance of our local HRT experts.
At Juventee, we want to revitalize your health by promoting balance, energy, intimacy, and beauty. We start by assessing your baseline biomarkers and implementing a personalized plan to help you feel like your younger self. Our in-depth process covers many factors, almost like a web. Each component of that web works in conjunction with others to make up how you feel. If one area is out of sync, women can experience unwanted fluctuations in their weight, energy, emotions, libido, and more. Juventee is committed to evaluating our patient's overall health so that we may bring vitality and happiness to as many aspects of their lives as possible.
We've mentioned all the greatness that can come with an HRT regimen from Juventee, but what exactly are the benefits of HRT for women? Let's take a look.
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Unlike some HRT clinics, Juventee's HRT programs are carefully crafted and personalized for each patient. There are no cookie-cutter solutions at our office. Instead, we assess each individual's needs and customize treatments to help their bodies as they age. We replace hormones that are deficient and restore them to their physiological state using HRT pellets.
These hormone pellets are prescription hormones inserted under the skin through a simple in-office procedure. Each pellet is about as large as a big grain of rice. Once inserted, our HRT pellets get to work quickly. With this treatment, patients don't have to worry about applying greasy creams or swallowing pills. Instead, our pellets are metabolized by the body. That way, patients don't stress over taking too much or too little.
Remember, at Juventee, our goal isn't just to balance your hormones â it's to completely optimize your health and well-being. You won't ever have to worry about our doctors writing you a prescription and sending you on your way without any additional communication. Instead, we aim to be part of our patient's journey back to health and work with all of our HRT patients to do so.
Hormone imbalance causes a litany of issues. But with hormone replacement therapy, females can better process calcium, keep their cholesterol levels safe, and maintain a healthy vagina. By replenishing the body's estrogen levels, HRT may relieve symptoms of menopause and even optimize bone health.
But that's just the start. At Juventee, our patients report many benefits of taking HRT for women:
If you're ready to feel better and enjoy the vitality of your youth, Juventee is here to help you every step of the way. It all starts with an in-person evaluation, where our team will determine if HRT is right for you.
For many women, menopause is a difficult time filled with ups, downs, and hormonal hurdles to overcome. While menopausal issues are well-known by some, other women only know that menopause can affect their hormones. The reality is that going through menopause can mean more than moodiness and hot flashes.
At Juventee, we're big believers that a little knowledge can go a long way. With that in mind, if you're going through menopause or are approaching "that" age, consider these common issues. First, let's examine some alternative causes of menopause beyond age:
The most common reason for menopause is diminished, unbalanced hormones. However, menopause can also result from:
Now that we've examined some of the ways that menopause manifests, let's look at some common problems that females regularly endure:
If you're going through menopause and feel like life is a tiresome burden, you're not alone. Studies show that 15% of women go through depression to some degree during menopause. What many women don't learn is that depression may start much earlier, during perimenopause or even earlier.
Depression can be hard to diagnose, even without perimenopause and menopause as a factor. With that said, keep the following signs in mind. If you notice any, it might be time to speak with a physician:
If you notice any of the signs above, it's important that you understand that you're not weak or broken. You're going through a very normal emotional experience, which may be caused by hormone deficiency. However, with proper treatment from your doctor, depression doesn't have to rule your life.
You don't have to have hormonal imbalances to have mood swings. Indeed, everyone gets moody from time to time. For women going through menopause, however, mood swings can be extreme and happen often. Hormone imbalances and mood swings go together, resulting in unusual emotional changes and even issues like insomnia.
Estrogen production, a hormone that fluctuates during menopause, affects serotonin production, which regulates mood. When both hormones are deficient, mood swings can become quite prevalent.
Fortunately, HRT treatments in Fort Lee, NJ, work wonders for women because they work to regulate hormones like estrogen. With HRT from Juventee, women don't have to settle for the negative consequences that drastic mood swings can cause.
Hot flashes: whether you're a man or a woman, you've probably heard of them. Hot flashes are very common issues associated with menopause and manifest as intense, sudden feelings of heat across the upper body. Some last a few seconds while others last many minutes, making them uncomfortable and inconvenient at all times. A few common symptoms of hot flashes include:
Usually, a lack of estrogen causes hot flashes in menopausal women. Low levels of estrogen negatively affect a woman's hypothalamus, or the part of the brain that regulates appetite and body temperature. Low estrogen levels cause the hypothalamus to assume incorrectly that the body is too hot. When it does, it dilates a woman's blood vessels to boost blood flow.
Fortunately, most women don't have to settle for the intense, unwanted feelings they endure with hot flashes. HRT pellet treatment from Juventee helps to stabilize hormones which may lessen the effects that hot flashes cause.
Staying healthy and fit is a challenge for anybody living in modern America. For women with hormonal imbalances, however, it's even harder. Weight gain is a concerning issue during menopause, but it can be manageable with a physician-led diet, exercise, and HRT treatments from Juventee.
HRT patients at Juventee benefit from health plans that keep hormones in check, making weight loss a real possibility. But which hormones need to be regulated to help avoid weight gain?
Millions of adults around the U.S. suffer from low sex drive, but that doesn't make it any more embarrassing to talk about. For many women going through pre-menopause and menopause, it's an unfortunate side effect of unbalanced hormones. Thankfully, HRT may help women maintain a healthy libido, even after 50. But what causes lowered sexual desire in women as they age?
The hormones responsible for low libido in females are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Progesterone production decreases during perimenopause, resulting in lowered libido in some women. Lower progesterone production can also cause weight gain, exhaustion, and other symptoms common during menopause. Reduced estrogen levels during menopause may lead to vaginal dryness and even loss of muscle tension.
Testosterone is referred to as a male hormone, but it contributes to important health functionality in women as well. Female testosterone heightens sexual responses and intensifies orgasms. When the ovaries can't produce sufficient levels of testosterone, low sex drive can happen.
The inside of a woman's bones is broken down and rebuilt by bone cells in an ongoing process called remodeling. This process is crucial for maintaining bone strength and health.
However, due to the loss of estrogen during menopause, this important process becomes unbalanced. Less bone is formed, and more bone is broken down. This advanced state of bone loss can be worrying for women, especially if they had an early menopause. With time, women may develop osteoporosis and a greater chance of breaking bones as they age.
Fortunately, HRT for women can actually mimic estrogen and progesterone, which may help prevent bone loss and lower chances of osteoporosis in women. That's huge news for women around the U.S., many of whom are battling early bone loss due to a lack calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients crucial to bone health.
If you are considering HRT treatments for women in Fort Lee, NJ, you need a team of hormone replacement experts by your side. At Juventee, our knowledgeable HRT doctors are ready to help. Our team will answer your initial questions, conduct necessary testing, and craft a customized program designed to alleviate the challenges you're facing as a woman going through menopause.
With a healthy diet, exercise, positive life choices, and hormone replacement therapy, unveiling the new "you" is easier than you might think. Contact our office today to get started on your journey to optimal health and well-being.
FORT LEE, N.J., Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unity Bank has opened a new full service branch in Fort Lee, increasing its service footprint to 20 branches and enhancing its retail presence in Bergen County. The new branch is located at 899 Palisade Avenue at the intersection with Columbia Avenue.“We are committed to Bergen County and Fort Lee is a na...
FORT LEE, N.J., Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unity Bank has opened a new full service branch in Fort Lee, increasing its service footprint to 20 branches and enhancing its retail presence in Bergen County. The new branch is located at 899 Palisade Avenue at the intersection with Columbia Avenue.
“We are committed to Bergen County and Fort Lee is a natural fit to our footprint,” said Unity Bank President & CEO James A. Hughes. “Banking services at the branch level are increasingly important to our customers, particularly small business owners who still, even in the age of electronic banking, rely on branches. Community banks are engines for economic growth and we are focused on bringing that drive to Bergen County.”
Unity is bringing a local flavor to the 1890 square foot branch. The facility features the abstract landscape oil paintings of Bergen County artist Sol Zaretsky of Teaneck. Unity purchased several of Zaretsky’s paintings through its program to support local artists in communities where it has branches.
The facility, previously operated by another bank, includes dedicated parking and drive-up banking and ATM services. Surrounding businesses include an insurance company, salon and a dentist.
Ryan Peene, Unity Bank’s Senior Vice President/Chief Depository Officer, who is well known in the Bergen County and Hudson County communities for his leadership roles on the City of Hoboken Planning Board and Greater Bergen Community Action, leads the development of the Fort Lee branch and all of Unity’s retail banking operations. The Fort Lee team also includes Franca Fabrizio, Area Manager; Sunita Pereira, Operations Manager; Vince Forma, Commercial Lender; Kathleen Hay, SBA Lender; and Mortgage Lenders Nicholas Aversa and Pasquale Grande.
Fort Lee is the second new branch opened by Unity in the last two months. In December, the bank opened a branch in Lakewood in Ocean County. Unity Bank now provides financial services to retail, corporate and small business customers in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Ocean, Somerset, Union and Warren Counties in New Jersey and Northampton County in Pennsylvania. The bank holds about $2.4 billion in assets and $1.8 billion in deposits.
“Unity is committed to supporting small businesses and families,” said Hughes. “The new branches are bringing our full suite of products and services to the local marketplace. We are helping launch small businesses, grow existing companies and enable families to purchase a house, or put an addition on their existing home.”
About Unity Bancorp, Inc.Unity Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTY), the parent company of Unity Bank, its primary and wholly owned subsidiary, is a financial services organization headquartered in Clinton, New Jersey. Unity Bank provides financial services to businesses and consumers at 20 branches throughout New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Unity Bank provides community-oriented commercial banking services, including deposit accounts, loans, online and mobile services. For more information, please visit unitybank.com or call 800-618-BANK (800-618-2265).
MEDIA CONTACT:Fred FeinerYankee Public Relations(908) 425-4878[email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dec6936f-3d1d-4aad-8291-66f677fa2210
As the transportation system works to become more sustainable, low-carbon fuels for cars and trucks get a lot of attention. But there's a big, old problem that's costing the country money, time, and carbon dioxide emissions: traffic.Highway congestion adds tens of billions of dollars to the cost of freight transportation each year — nearly ...
Highway congestion adds tens of billions of dollars to the cost of freight transportation each year — nearly $75 billion in 2016, and over $42 billion in 2019, according to the most recent available data. Truck drivers, who move more than 70% of US freight, sit in traffic for over 1 billion hours per year, burning fuel, and emitting carbon dioxide.
"Reducing idling hours and time wasted in stop-and-go traffic on our nation's highway bottlenecks will make more efficient use of every gallon of fuel burned," he said, adding that "congestion serves as a brake on economic growth and job creation nationwide."
According to the institute's analysis, which uses GPS data to identify where freight trucks are forced to sit idle, the "average rush hour truck speeds were 36.3 MPH, down more than six percent from the previous year."
These are the top 10 most congested bottlenecks for trucks, ranked from best to worst:
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One of the most famous celebrations, Mardi Gras, is a party like none other. Rich in culture, history, food, decadence, and music, the celebration of Mardi Gras isn’t confined just to New Orleans. Mardi Gras, which translates to Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday – the day that signifies the start of the 40 days leading up to Easter (essentially, it’s the day to get all your sinning in be...
One of the most famous celebrations, Mardi Gras, is a party like none other. Rich in culture, history, food, decadence, and music, the celebration of Mardi Gras isn’t confined just to New Orleans. Mardi Gras, which translates to Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday – the day that signifies the start of the 40 days leading up to Easter (essentially, it’s the day to get all your sinning in before the long fast). If you can’t make it down to NOLA for the festivities, there are several places in the North Jersey area that are ready to celebrate. Read on for a guide on celebrating Mardi Gras in North Jersey.
From 10AM to 11AM on February 21st, the Reeves-Reed Arboretum will be hosting a Mardi Gras Celebration for kids ages 5 to 10. Members and non-members alike are welcome to attend. Registration is required and masks are optional. This event will allow children to learn about the culture and the history of the holiday and make crafts. You can register here.
Read More: A Definitive List of Hoboken Desserts You Must Eat ASAP
From 1PM to 3:30PM on September 19th, there will be a Mardi Gras celebration at the Brunswick Square Mall located at 755 NJ-18 East Brunswick. This event is perfect for little ones and features crafts, samba dancers, face paint, balloon twisting, and more.
Corgi Spirits is partnering with Krewe of McGinley Square to host a NOLA-themed pop-up event featuring authentic dishes and drinks alongside live music. Entrance is $10 and food and drinks are available for purchase a la carte. The event will run from 5PM to 8PM on February 21st at 1 Distillery Drive in Jersey City. You can purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
East Orange Golf Course located at 440 Parsonage Hill Road in Short Hills, will be offering a Happy Hour Social with Mixers. You will get to enjoy drinks, appetizers, and entrees in their newly rebuilt clubhouse. This mixer sponsored by Professional and Business Social Network (PBSN) and several Meetup groups is designed for guests to get to know others and requests that you wear Business Casual Mardi Gras attire. It will run from 5PM to 7:30PM on February 21st. You can purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
(Photo credit: @beigentsnj)
Beignets, located in downtown Denville, is a tasty treat spot offering European-inspired coffee, lattes, and desserts. Here you can order from over 13 specialty doughnuts or make your own. If you DIY your doughnuts you can try strawberry glazed with peanut butter chips on top or even banana glazed with chocolate chips. Along with their donuts, Beignets is one of the few places in North Jersey where you can get freshly made beignets. These warm and pillow-soft treats come with powdered sugar and sometimes even cinnamon. It’s truly all in the name.
(Photo credit: @bourbonstreetbeignet)
At Bourbon Street Beignet you’ll get a little bit of NOLA in NJ. This New Orleans-style cafe offers croissants, pie, muffins, danish, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and of course beignets (it’s in the name). You can order a three, six, or twelve count of beignets covered with powdered sugar or rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Cap’t Loui serves Cajun-style seafood and sides. Here you can enjoy their Boiler option which includes your choice of seafood, sauce, whatever spice you can handle, and extras like noodles, corn, and potatoes. Cap’t Loui also offers jambalaya (a rice dish consisting of meat and vegetables) Po’Boy sandwiches, and beignets.
Crab Island Cajun Seafood + Bar is a full liquor bar serving hush puppies, corn, sausage, rice, and more fried fish than you could catch. Open from 12PM to 10PM, this bar offers outdoor seating, has several televisions for sports watching, and has Spanish-speaking staff. If you are looking for a chill date night and some crab legs, Crab Island is perfect.
With over 75 locations, six of which are in North Jersey, Hook + Reel is serving up some really good Cajun seafood. Here you can find lobster, catfish, flounder, and oyster fried, breaded, and served to perfection. Their Po’Boys are literally a mouth full. Served with french fries or soup, these sandwiches can be filled with catfish, flounder, or shrimp — and for non-seafood lovers, you can get chicken.
Krewe of McGinley Square is a taste of NOLA in Jersey City. The masterminds behind this restaurant are actress and filmmaker Hank Morris and chef Anthony Tamburro, a husband and wife duo. Since Spring 2021 the couple has been serving cornbread, gumbo, Po’Boys, jambalaya, grits, collard greens, beignets, and of course, seafood. In case you didn’t know, krewe is a term regarding organizations that stage a parade or carnival celebration and is highly associated with Mardi Gras.
(Photo credit: @labonbakery)
La Bon Bake Shoppes opened its doors in 1952 as La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes. While it has a French name and an Italian founder, the bakery has always offered a variety of European and American goods. In preparation for Mardi Gras, the spot will be serving Kings Cake, macaroons, and paczki until February 19th at 7PM. Paczki options include cheese, raspberry, Nutella custard, chocolate cannoli, and more. The Kings Cake comes in a variety of flavors such as lemon, blueberry, cherry, strawberry, and cinnamon cream.
See More: A Guide to Authentic French Eateries in Montclair + Beyond
The Cajun Crab Louisiana Seafood Restaurant serves a wide variety of seafood such as tilapia, calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels, and scallops. Along with these authentic Louisiana dishes you can order hush puppies, which are a must, as well as corn, sausage, and rice.
On January 12, 2022, NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced the construction of a massive film production facility in Monmouth County. Netflix will build on Fort Monmouth, which currently houses the latest extension of New Jersey City University’s campus. Before then, the lot served as an Army base which has since been deactivated. At the board meeting on September 12, 2022, University officials announced that they were contemplating discontinuing the use of the campus following concerns regarding shockingly low admissions rates, a nearly $...
On January 12, 2022, NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced the construction of a massive film production facility in Monmouth County. Netflix will build on Fort Monmouth, which currently houses the latest extension of New Jersey City University’s campus. Before then, the lot served as an Army base which has since been deactivated. At the board meeting on September 12, 2022, University officials announced that they were contemplating discontinuing the use of the campus following concerns regarding shockingly low admissions rates, a nearly $20 million deficit in profits, as well as several layoffs and resignations in leadership.
In its efforts to attract more film and media professionals, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority extended and expanded its tax credit policies. Even including an incentive for large productions with a diverse cast, Netflix is the latest to take advantage of the generous New Jersey Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program, enacted in 2019 by Governor Phil Murphy.
The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) sent a letter to the executives at Netflix, citing the tax breaks, along with New Jersey’s potential for sustainable production infrastructure. While Netflix is the only large-scale film studio company to announce its acceptance of the alluring offer publicly, it was considered among Disney, Warner Bros., and Lionsgate. The latter has also announced that they will open a production facility in Newark, which has become the hub for diverse and creative talent.
“Our team is incredibly passionate about Fort Monmouth’s revitalization, and is committed to surpassing the Fort’s prior role as a major economic driver in the region,” says FMERA Executive Director Kara Kopach. “A project of this scale has the potential not only to create thousands of jobs, but will also result in significant investment on the Fort, and spur local development in support of the project. The magnitude of Netflix’s investment is an absolute windfall for our stakeholders and the State of New Jersey. We’re eager to see this project come to fruition.”
There is nothing new about film being a priority in New Jersey. Some of the most acclaimed movies like “West Side Story,” “Joker,” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” were filmed in the Garden State. In fact, New Jersey is home to the first film projector, film studio, and drive-in theater in the world. Fort Lee, New Jersey, is heralded as the “Birthplace of the Motion Picture Industry.”
Most favor New Jersey getting back on the map in the media and film industries, as this change will positively impact the workforce. Jobs in fields like these are imperative for students, professionals in and outside of the field, and community members who will have recreational access to the amenities. With costs coming in at close to $900 million, the production powerhouse could employ over 3,500 people in its development and create over 1,500 jobs in media and film.
Hopefully, these job opportunities are reserved mostly for the people of New Jersey. Properties in areas such as Montclair, Monmouth County, and Newark are now selling for thousands over their asking price, meaning that the announcement has sparked an interest in relocating to New Jersey. This can potentially attract more people from neighboring states, making real estate and the workforce even more volatile for those of the Garden State.
Government officials will need to think ahead to accommodate the change by expanding public transportation, building more apartment-style affordable housing, and ensuring that the infrastructure of these areas is not compromised. From trailers and lighting to cameras and audio, production is an intricate (and sometimes invasive) process. One can only hope that when the project comes to fruition, it’s not to the detriment of the surrounding communities. Folks live and work in these towns, and it is important to consider how production could potentially impact transportation and the cost of living.
Dyquan Waters is an Editorial Intern at New Jersey Digest. Studying English and Education at Kean University, he is always looking to refine his writing. In his free time, he enjoys cooking yummy plant-based foods, rollerskating, and camping. When he isn't caring for his plants, you can find him brewing a fresh cup of loose-leaf tea.
The Plaza Loiza supermarkets will add up to 5 MW of rooftop solar generating capacity across eight stores, with its first location in Carolinas projected to provide a 60% reduction in its energy needs.Plaza Loíza, a Puerto Rico island grocery chain, is taking a major step towards a more sustainable future and becoming the first supermarket on the island to adopt Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions. Image: El Vocero de Puerto Rico A San Juan, Puerto Rico supermarket chain has made a commitment to renewable ...
The Plaza Loiza supermarkets will add up to 5 MW of rooftop solar generating capacity across eight stores, with its first location in Carolinas projected to provide a 60% reduction in its energy needs.
Plaza Loíza, a Puerto Rico island grocery chain, is taking a major step towards a more sustainable future and becoming the first supermarket on the island to adopt Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions.
Image: El Vocero de Puerto Rico
A San Juan, Puerto Rico supermarket chain has made a commitment to renewable energy by signing an energy-as-a-service agreement to install on-site solar at its eight store locations. Plaza Loíza, based in San Juan, this week became the first supermarket on the island to move forward with a rooftop solar portfolio to reduce energy costs, hedge against future electricity rate increase, and cut its carbon footprint.
Loiza’s first rooftop solar system sized at 520 kW will be installed over the coming months by Delta Energy Partners, LLC and ESCOPR, a local energy efficiency engineering firm. James Tu, chief executive officer of Delta Energy Partners, the project developer, told pv magazine USA the first solar system in Carolina, Puerto Rico uses a 290 kW rooftop array with additional carport PV systems providing 230 kW, bringing total onsite generating capacity to 520 kW.
With a number of Plaza Loiza’s markets located in shopping malls not requiring carport systems, Tu said the supermarket portfolio could see up to 5 MW total solar installations using both rooftop and carport systems.
Delta Energy is using Boviet Gamma mono bifacial PERC solar modules and Hoymiles HM series microinverters across the supermarket portfolio, Tu said.
The developer applied for a net metering permit from PREPA, Puerto Rico’s grid manager and power authority, as well as construction permits for carports at the Carolina project site, and expects to complete installation by May, with other projects across the San Juan portfolio to follow.
Including energy audits, installation, and a 25-year maintenance agreement, the Carolina, P.R. supermarket project requires no upfront capital investment from Plaza Loíza, which will pay for solar energy at a significantly lower rate than what local power company Luma Energy currently charges. Luma is a consortium made up of Canadian firm Atco Energy and Quanta Services.
“We are thrilled to work with DEP and ESCOPR to bring solar power to our properties and stores, starting at the Metropolis shopping center in Carolina,” said Ferdysac Márquez, president of Plaza Loiza. “This project, using the EaaS model, will significantly reduce our carbon footprint, helping us achieve our goal to be more friendly to our environment and decrease our energy cost, at a time when Puerto Rico’s power rate is already high and continues to increase.”
Puerto Rico could be an epitome of what’s coming for the global energy transition, Tu told pv magazine USA. The island relies heavily on fossil fuel for its power source and following increased frequency and severity of climate change-linked storms, creates a huge opportunity for distributed generation resources such as rooftop solar and energy efficiency solutions.
In addition, Puerto Rico’s electric rate costs continue to rise, with a seven time increase over the last 18 months due to the privatization of Puerto Rico’s transmission and generation assets, which now reflect the true cost of maintenance and upgrade for the power infrastructure, Tu said.
The Puerto Rico commonwealth’s January 2022 bankruptcy exit led to the U.S. Financial Oversight and Management Board overseeing its finances, making it harder for the local government to continue to subsidize utility cost increases across the island. Climate change and the island government’s solvency have forced residents and businesses to seek energy efficiency and solar energy.
Delta Energy Partners, based in Fort Lee, N.J., has provided energy as a service solutions to Puerto Rico commercial and government entities since 2014, though its business saw multiple disruptions between 2018 and 2022 due to Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic, Tu said.
The company chose Puerto Rico to provide Net Zero Building solutions, from energy efficient LED lighting to distributed energy such as rooftop solar projects, Tu said.
With a no-money down cost structure, Delta Energy and ESCOPR are paving the way for more island grocery stores and retailers to deploy onsite solar systems. The partnership between Plaza Loíza, Delta Energy and ESCOPR is just one of many examples of collaboration in the island aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing energy costs.
Energy Resilience Relief
This week the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather feedback from stakeholders in Puerto Rico on how to allocate $1 billion managed through the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF).
After recent hurricanes and decades of underinvestment in the island’s electric grid, the new funding will be developed to increase energy resilience and reduce the energy burden on the Caribbean island’s vulnerable residents. The investment also aligns with Puerto Rico’s public energy policy to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050 as well as the Biden Administration’s commitment to improving the island’s energy system.
The PR-ERF package will be managed by the Grid Deployment Office in consultation with the Federal Energy Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The agency is requesting information from Puerto Rican stakeholders about both short- and long-term energy solutions including residential rooftop solar deployment, community and critical service energy resilience, non-profit partnerships, and workforce training to sustain the island’s clean energy economy.
Feedback for the PR-ERF process, including identifying priority energy technologies and solutions, eligibility, funding structure, and timing, can be provided to government stakeholders by April 21 at 5 p.m. ET by emailing: [email protected]. Initial funding from the program is expected to be administered by the end of 2023.
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