“The LEDs are expected to improve lighting quality, reliability and safety, while lowering maintenance costs and reducing the city’s carbon footprint,” Mayor Kim V. Rolfe said. “It’s all part of our efforts to become more sustainable and reduce our environmental impact.”

The initial investment for the cost of the fixtures and installation is about $3.7 million. Some of the costs will be offset by rebates from Rocky Mountain Power. The balance is being paid for with a bond, with bond payments coming from energy and maintenance cost savings. Lower energy costs alone are expected to save the city about $150,000 per year. No tax increase is planned. 

In addition to the look of the new fixtures, the light color is also different. Traditional bulbs produce a light that looks almost pink or orange. LEDs produce a light that appears cooler and whiter, similar to moonlight. The result is a higher light quality that improves nighttime visibility and safety through better color rendering, more uniform light distribution and the brightening of some dark areas between poles. Existing streetlight poles will be used so pole spacing and height will remain the same.