DANVILLE, VIRGINIA, JOINS CREE LED CITY® PROGRAM

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Effort to become ‘green government’ starts with installations of LED lighting

DANVILLE, VA., SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 — Danville, Virginia, announces that it has joined the Cree LED City® program, an international initiative promoting the deployment of energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. The city has installed Cree LED lights in the Danville Water Treatment Plant and the Adult Detention Center in response to the Go Green Virginia initiative sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League (VML).

The Virginia Municipal League started the Go Green Virginia program to encourage local governments to reduce energy usage and promote sustainability. As part of the initiative, the Green Government Challenge is a friendly competition designed to promote the implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local government and the broader community. The two installations of LED lighting, with their longevity and savings in maintenance and energy costs, will aid in Danville’s green efforts. Additionally, the installations are supported by the American Public Power Association as part of a Demonstrating Energy Efficiency Developments (DEED) program grant.

“Danville is proud to be the first city in Virginia to join the LED City program,” said Mayor Sherman Saunders. “We are glad to be a leader in demonstrating the cost savings of LED technology. This LED lighting project exemplifies Danville’s commitment to move forward in the new economy by taking advantage of innovative opportunities. Danville, and the rest of the country, can no longer afford to rely on the less efficient technologies of the past.”

The city installed Cree LR24 luminaries in the filter room of the Water Treatment Plant, replacing outdated fluorescent fixtures. Danville officials will leave the original fluorescent T12 lighting fixtures in place for an unspecified time-period for side-by-side lighting quality comparisons. Plant operators have reported improved productivity and increased task efficiency, due to the better quality of lighting. LED lighting has also reduced potential labor costs by approximately $75 dollars per hour for fluorescent bulb changes.

The installation in the Adult Detention Center, part of a room renovation, involved retrofitting a conference room with Cree LR6 and LR24 luminaries to replace incandescent bulbs. The LR6s are outfitted with a rotating lens that allows for direct and indirect lighting options which is necessary for hosting video conferences, as the room is often used for distance learning, as well as staff training.

The two interior LED lighting installations will not only serve as a greendemonstration for the city, they will also serve as guidelines for the lighting design of Danville’s new SEnTeC energy research facility for the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research. The city is also exploring the possibility of an LED streetlight demonstration in the downtown area and is currently installing smart meters across its utility service area.

“We welcome Danville as the first city in Virginia to join the LED City program,” said Deb Lovig, LED programs manager. “These projects demonstrate the light quality and cost savings that can be realized with LED lighting and represent the city’s commitment to becoming an energy-efficient and green government.”

About LED City
The LED City is an expanding community of government and industry parties working to evaluate deploy and promote LED lighting technology across the full range of municipal infrastructure to:

• Save energy
• Protect the environment
• Reduce maintenance costs
• Provide better light quality for improved visibility and safety

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 22 percent of electricity used in the U.S. powers lighting. In a world with soaring energy prices based on the availability and control of fossil fuels, and with growing concern about sustainability of the environment, a revolution in lighting is long overdue. Participants include Torraca, Italy; Toronto and Welland, Ontario; Tianjian, China, Gwangju, South Korea; and the United States cities of Fairview, Texas; Raleigh and Chapel Hill, N.C.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Austin, Texas; Anchorage, Ala., and India Wells, Calif.

About Danville
Danville, Virginia is located in south central Virginia on the Virginia and North Carolina border. Danville is Southern Virginia's largest industrial city, and is recognized as one of the state's leading manufacturing centers. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. is one of Danville's largest employers. In addition to Goodyear, Danville is home to several nationally recognized manufacturers including Swedwood (Ikea), EBI, Essel Propack, Shorewood Packaging, Nestle Refrigerated Food Co., Owens-Brockway, Inc. and many other companies.

Additional information can be found at http://www.danville-va.gov/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kevin Martin
Danville Utilities Key Accounts Manager
(434) 799-6473
martikn@ci.danville.va.us

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