Village looks to convert streetscape lights to more energy efficient ones

Tue, Nov 3, 2009    to del.icio.us

SPRING LAKE — If a state energy grant lights up in the future, Spring Village will replace 42 Sternberg streetscape lights with more energy efficient models.

The Village Council Monday night unanimously approved converting the lights which would cost $53,104, according to Village Manager Ryan Cotton, who is submitting a $43,924 grant request to the Michigan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

If the grant is approved, the village would replace existing 175-watt bulbs with 37-watt LED fixtures. The village would be responsible for $9,180 of the cost, according to Cotton, who estimates the conversion would save about $6,000 in energy costs per year.

"It would pay for itself in about one year and three months," Cotton said. "It's a competitive grant but we've had several parties in the community who have written letters of support."

Cotton said the village has several model LED lights on display — four of them behind Stan's Bar north of Exchange Street and two near Village Cove Marina south of Savidge Street.

Village Council agreed a five-year conversion program would be a wise move, eventually updating all of the approximately 150 Sternberg lights along roads, parking lots and the Lakeside Trail bike path.

"They (LED lights) simply use use very little energy and they look better I think," Cotton continued. "With a five-year program to replace them, we'd be looking about about $24,000 a year in savings."

The new lights also would reduce carbon dioxide emmissions by about 46,000 pounds, according to the manager.

The state grant deadline for the the stimulus funds is Thursday.

"If we don't get the grant we can replace them as we find funding resources," Cotton said.