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Is turning off streetlights worth jeopardizing public safety?
JACKSON, MI – October 27, 2009 – At what price are cities willing to pay to save money? According to an article published by USA Today on August 28, 2009, a number of cities and towns throughout the U.S. have opted to completely turn off up to 50 percent of city streetlights in an effort to save money. To date, the article has generated 289 comments from readers, the majority of whom are concerned about the effect this will have on public safety.
People are wondering why pedestrian and motorist safety has to be jeopardized in order to save tax dollars already spent. Instead of turning off up to half of the city's streetlights, city and municipal leaders should look into implementing a more efficient way of lighting public areas. As part of a pilot project to show the City of Richland, WA Public Utility Department that induction lighting is a viable solution for energy savings, Tom Osborn, engineer for Bonneville Power Administration, in partnership with Green Lite Energy Solutions, replaced twenty-four 400w and fifteen 200w high pressure sodium (HPS) cobra head fixtures in the Federal Courthouse parking lot with EverLast® 200w and 100w induction cobra head light fixtures a retrofit that is projected to cut energy and maintenance costs by more than half.
In an effort to reduce energy costs without jeopardizing public safety, City of Encinitas, CA Park Supervisor, Terry Smith, worked with Quallight Efficiency Corp. to replace inefficient, 25-year-old HPS fixtures with EverLast® 200w Induction Shoe Box fixtures. "A woman walking through the park the night of the installation stated, 'It's nice to be able to see again.'" says Mr. Smith. This retrofit is expected to cut the park's annual lighting costs by 44 percent. Additionally, EverLast® Smart Light Induction Fixtures incorporate step-dimming and on/off photo sensor controls for increased pedestrian safety and unmatched energy savings.
Other cities considering turning off streetlights include Dennis, MA; Montgomery, PA; South Portland, ME; and Northfield, MN. In lieu of creating a city of fear by turning the lights completely off, city officials can look into alternative approaches to saving the city money. For example, the Rebuild Michigan Program fosters partnerships that promote increased energy efficiency within a community. Partners may include local governments, schools, universities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and public housing authorities. With assistance from state government and other partners, each community can determine energy saving opportunities and create goals to implement an energy action plan.1
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