Lunenburg plans to replace street lights

posted on 01/28/10

The Town of Lunenburg is planning to replace 532 high-pressure sodium street lights with more cost efficient units.

Last fall, the town received 48 new light-emitting diode (LED) street lights, compliments of a pilot project through the ecoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change program.

The lights, which were developed by Halifax-based LED Roadway Lighting Ltd. and produced in their Amherst manufacturing facility, provide for a 50 per cent reduction in energy use compared to the high-pressure sodium units currently in use and contain no mercury or lead as do the existing units.
LED street lights also focus light directly down on the roadway ensuring that little or no “light pollution” enters the night sky above.

Last week LED Roadway vice-president of business development Ken Cartmill made a proposal to council that the town replace all 532 remaining street lights in town with the new, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly units.

Mr. Cartmill told council that through Ecotrust Canada there is a municipal program under which the town could apply for 50 per cent funding for conversion.

If funding is approved through that program, the actual cost to the town would be about $178,000, a figure that would be more than offset by the net energy savings of $243,000 which Mr. Cartmill said would be realized over the projected 20 year lifespan of the product.

In order to qualify for the Ecotrust Canada financing, the town had to apply by the January 31 deadline and, after discussion, council agreed to instruct staff to proceed with an application as well as explore other funding options which might be available to finance the town portion.