Council gives green light to LED streetlight conversion project

The city of Vernon will be lighting up the night sky but using a different kind of light.

Council voted to support converting 1,200 high pressure sodium streetlights into LED bulbs at their meeting Monday.

The total cost of the project is $717,000 which includes the cost of a consultant to conduct a light study earmarked at $75,000.

During Monday’s meeting Coun. Brian Quiring expressed support for the project but questioned the city’s need to hire a $75,000 consultant.

“I mean I’m a consultant so I like to sell my services, but what do we really need a consultant for? This has been done in a lot of communities. The manufacturers of LED lights will give you all you want for data.”

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“Seventy-seven thousand for a study seems like a lot of money for me on this one,” Quiring said.

City staff told council the study would involve a complete audit of the 1,200 lights plus the 1,700 lights leased by BC Hydro who plan to convert their lights to LED starting next year.

“Not every corner, intersection or sidewalk is built the same,” said Chris Ovens, Roads, Drainage and Airport Manager, “so the light study and consultant’s recommendations will help us ensure we place the right LED bulbs in the right locations and use the correct angles for each area.”

The conversion of the 1,200 city lights will bring $58,000 in electrical savings every year and staff expect a return on investment in 12 years.

Two city of Vernon traffic technicians will be responsible for replacing the bulbs. The replacement, according to city staff will take place in two phases; one starting in the spring of 2020 and the other in the fall of 2020.

“Taking this step to LED conversion demonstrates great leadership,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “Not only are we taking another step towards our overall financial sustainability efforts, but we are also making a significant effort to save electricity costs over the long term and use our city’s internal financial resources responsibly.”