The New York Power Authority and the Town of Bethel have partnered to start the installation of 176 energy-efficient LED streetlights as part of the New York Power Authority’s Smart Street Lighting NY program, which calls for at least 500,000 streetlights throughout the state to be replaced with LED technology by 2025.
The more than $200,000 upgrade, financed and implemented by NYPA, includes the replacement of all 176 streetlights throughout the town with energy-saving LED fixtures, improving lighting quality and neighborhood safety while reducing energy usage and energy costs.
“The replacement of street lighting with efficient LED fixtures is helping Bethel and other municipalities across the state reduce energy and maintenance costs and improve safety while also protecting the environment,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “Under the Smart Street Lighting NY program, NYPA is in the process of replacing tens of thousands of streetlights across the state and fully expects to exceed its goal of replacing 500,000 lights by 2025.”
“With the purchase of its streetlights from NYSEG and the conversion to LED technology, the Town of Bethel is taking yet another step towards reducing its energy consumption, saving taxpayer money while at the same time improving lighting quality and lowering its carbon footprint,” said Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm. “’Smart node’ street lighting technology will enable the town to dim lights when appropriate and also know when lights are out, a significant improvement to our old system.”
“With the assistance of the Hudson Valley Regional Council, Sustainable Bethel spent several years evaluating our options to upgrade our street lights”, commented Jeffrey Allison, the committee’s co-chair. “We are excited to see this project come to fruition and its timing is concurrent with the launch of the Town’s community solar campaign to bring solar generated electricity to residents. Bethel is on the move towards a more sustainable future.”
NYPA is working with cities, towns, villages and counties throughout New York to fully manage and implement a customer’s transition to LED streetlight technology. NYPA provides upfront financing for the project with payments to NYPA made in the years following from the cost-savings created by the reduced energy use of the LED streetlights which are 50 to 65% more efficient than alternative street lighting options.
The Smart Street Lighting NY program directly supports the goals of NYS’ Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act the most aggressive climate change law in the nation. The NYS goal is to reduce electricity demand by three percent by 2025 through increased energy efficiency. This is equivalent to the electricity consumed by 1.8 million New York households. To learn more about the Smart Street Lighting NY program visit the program webpage on NYPA’s website.
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