The Starkville Electric Department is set to install new LED light bulbs in dozens of the city”s traffic signals.
The bulbs are only 10 watts, compared to the existing incandescent bulbs in traffic signals, which are 69 watts, SED General Manager Terry Kemp said. Still, the LED bulbs have a higher intensity, will last longer than the incandescent bulbs and will conserve energy.
“They”re efficient and they”re effective,” Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said Thursday during a meeting at Kemp”s office to check out the new bulbs.
Starkville Electric crews will begin installing the bulbs Monday in traffic signals at 43 intersections and in caution signals at 11 intersections, starting on the north side of town. Kemp estimates the bulb replacement project will take “several months” to complete, but will save the city $12,000 in electric costs per year.
“Not only will this save the city money, but it will also reduce our carbon footprint,” Kemp said.
Starkville received an $80,000 grant, which paid for the bulbs.
Drivers can expect some delays as crews change bulbs, but the SED is coordinating with the Starkville Police Department and Starkville Fire Department to try to minimize the inconvenience, Kemp said.
Wiseman praised Kemp and the Starkville Electric Department.
“There are a lot of really neat options out there for energy efficiency and luckily we have a really great group of people who are exploring those options and trying to save the city some money,” Wiseman said.
When asked if the city plans to install LED bulbs in street lights around town, Kemp said that is “a whole new ball of wax.” The city doesn”t have any immediate plans to replace street lights with LED bulbs, but may look into it in the future, he said.
The Starkville Electric Department also hopes to soon begin testing and replacing vehicle sensors at intersections, Kemp said.
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