Central Hudson Offers LED Street Light Option for Municipalities

Streetlight fixtures utilizing Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) use multiple light sources, each fitted with individual lenses that direct the light beams to form an illumination pattern. LED fixtures are currently more expensive than conventional lights, but use less energy.

    Hudson Valley cities, towns and villages can now explore the option of using high efficiency LED streetlights to illuminate their communities. The New York Public Service Commission approved Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s proposal to accommodate municipal owned and maintained streetlights using light emitting diode (LED) technology. “This approval will now permit municipalities served by Central Hudson to purchase and utilize LED streetlights, reduce their energy use and take advantage of the latest lighting technology,” said James P. Laurito, President of Central Hudson.

    "LED streetlight fixtures are relatively new to the market, and this provides flexibility in allowing municipalities to purchase the light that best suits their needs while also taking advantage of changing fixtures and designs,” explained Laurito. “Although LED streetlights are more expensive than conventional high-efficiency streetlights, they are said to last much longer, require less maintenance and use about 50 percent less energy than other fixtures while producing the same level of light,” he said. “Under this flexible rate design, municipalities will be able to take advantage of the benefits offered by LED fixtures.”
Central Hudson is offering the option in response to an interest by some municipalities in using different types of LED lighting, and recognizing that development of these lighting fixtures is ongoing. “Manufacturers design LED fixtures in a greater variety of wattage configurations, and they are not standardized to the same degree as conventional fixtures,” he said. “Rather than specifying standard wattage sizes, this provision will allow municipalities to utilize a wider variety of LED lighting. Some Hudson Valley municipalities have also indicated an interest in applying for governmental grants to help pay for LED fixtures, and we hope that this will encourage others to use or try LED street lighting.”

    Central Hudson is also conducting two research and development projects to test the effectiveness of outdoor LED lighting fixtures. The two demonstration projects are underway on the campus of Bard College in Dutchess County as an outdoor area lighting application in a parking area, and in the Town of New Windsor, Orange County as a street lighting installation. The projects will be used to help determine actual energy use, operational qualities and costs of LED fixtures in real-world applications.
Municipalities interested in using LED fixtures may call (845) 452-2700, or their local district Central Hudson contact. To learn more about Central Hudson’s research and development projects involving outdoor LED streetlight fixtures, visit www.CentralHudson.com/about_us/news/june30_10.html.

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