Solution
Oak City and 13 similar communities around the state are making the switch to all LED streetlighting by utilizing Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) funding. These dollars, secured for the communities with assistance from the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems, allow Oak City to trim energy and maintenance costs from its budget. With anticipated payback of three years, the town converted all of its HPS streetlights to Cree® LED luminaires and realized approximately 40 to 60 percent savings in energy and maintenance costs.
“This is a case of being small enough to take advantage of EECBG funding in a big way,” stated David K. Steele, Oak City town councilman who also oversees the community’s electric system. “Without the EECBG, we most likely would not have the resources to pursue such a large conversion. Now the town can also expand with LED streetlights into residential areas that previously had no source of street lighting available.”