(1) A local unit of government may join with any other local unit of government, or with any person, or with any number or combination thereof, by contract or otherwise as may be permitted by law, for the implementation of a property assessed clean energy program, in whole or in part.

    (2) If a property assessed clean energy program is implemented jointly by 2 or more local units of government pursuant to subsection (1), a single public hearing held jointly by the cooperating local units of government is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of section 7(1)(b).