Indianapolis, IN -- March 7, 2006 --
Contact:
IPL
Crystal Livers-Powers
(317) 261-8423 | Lt. Governor’s Office
Vickie Duncan Gardner
(317) 232-4789 | City of Indianapolis
Margie Smith-Simmons
(317) 327-4669 |
Indianapolis – The State of Indiana, The City of Indianapolis and Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) have plugged into a partnership to bring more energy-efficient street lights and traffic signals to city streets. In the largest partnership of its kind ever for this group, the City is expected to significantly reduce energy costs associated with street lighting.
IPL’s involvement brings a $2.25 million investment over three years and includes replacing more than 14,000 mercury vapor street lights with more energy-efficient high-pressure sodium lights. When completed, this project is expected to reduce the City’s energy bill by more than $100,000 a year.
“This investment is the single largest energy conservation project in IPL’s history,” said Ann D. Murtlow, IPL President & CEO. “The expedited replacement of old street lighting fixtures with new energy-efficient, low maintenance technology will result in energy savings to the City and will reduce our ongoing maintenance requirements. IPL crews will begin making those replacements today.”
As part of the second project, the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development, a division of the Lt. Governor’s Office, is awarding a $500,000 grant to purchase new more energy-efficient traffic signals.
"What we are doing with this traffic signal project is symbolic of what we are asking Hoosiers to do in their homes – conserve energy," remarked Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, who oversees the state's energy policy and initiatives. "This project will save taxpayer dollars. Similarly, if we all make a few changes in our homes, like using energy efficient light bulbs, we will see savings in our energy bills."
Traffic signals at more than 1,150 city intersections could eventually be retrofitted with more energy-efficient light emitting diodes (LED) technology, replacing about 24,000 light bulbs. The state grant will be used to begin this effort, which could eventually save the City between $100,000 and $400,000 in energy costs. The amount of savings will be determined by whether the lights are metered or non-metered.
“Through our partnership with IPL and the State, we will be able to save a significant amount of time, energy and money. This is the type of investment that is a win-win for the City of Indianapolis and its residents,” said Jim Garrard, director of the Department of Public Works.
By utilizing these new technologies, both of these projects will produce savings that reduce both energy and maintenance costs. When both projects are completed, the energy savings would approximate the energy needed to light and heat more than 680 homes.
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