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Valdez, Alaska

Valdez is converting all 343 of the city’s street lights to LED technology. As part of this project, city officials have negotiated a new, reduced billing rate with Copper Valley Electric Association for the LED street lights and will renegotiate its maintenance contract when it expires in 2011.

“We project we can achieve 45 percent or higher energy savings with the new BetaLED® fixtures we are installing, compared with the high-pressure sodium lights we are replacing,” said Mayor Bert Cottle. “As we look ahead and anticipate rising energy costs, investing in LED technology becomes even more attractive. Community feedback on the initial lights has been overwhelmingly positive. Valdez citizens like the quality and color of the new LED lights and they are happy about the projected energy and maintenance cost savings.”

“Copper Valley is taking a leadership role in the utilities industry by setting a reduced rate on LED street lights,” said Greg Merritt, Cree vice president of government relations. “Other utilities are grappling with how to handle LED street lights tariffs and Copper Valley’s proactive stance can serve as a model for promoting energy-efficient LED lighting.”

The BetaLED fixtures can be operated at three light levels. Initially, the fixtures will be operated at a higher setting for maximum light output during the winter months, when snow removal activities require high light levels. Going forward, city officials can choose to switch the lights to a lower operating level, depending on actual light level requirements, which can potentially increase energy savings to 60 percent.