SEF helps Pennsylvania Town Save Money and Electricity using LED Traffic Signals

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND IS REDUCING ENERGY COSTS – ONE LED AT A TIME

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2007

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pressroom@thesef.org

(Allentown, PA) –A turnkey energy savings program was provided to the Town of Bloomsburg from The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF ) of Central Eastern Pennsylvania.  In October 2006, light emitting diodes, or LED traffic lights were installed at 10 intersections throughout Bloomsburg.  The switch is expected to save the Town of Bloomsburg $3,230 annually.  The Sustainable Energy Fund managed the entire installation program, and helped the municipality fund the improvement costs.  The energy savings generated over five years will enable the municipality to pay for the cost of installation, save energy, and require no out-of-pocket costs. 

“Unlike traditional lightbulbs, LED’s use semi-conductors (computer chips) to convert electrical energy into light”, according to Dennis Maloskey, SEF Board Member and Director of Sustainable Engineering and Development with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Green Government Council.  Installation of LED’s can provide up to 90% savings on lighting electricity bills, increase signal life up to 10 times over incandescent bulbs, and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.  According to Carol Mas, Town Administrator, “not only are we saving taxpayer dollars, but we are doing our part in becoming more environmentally educated.” 

The Sustainable Energy Fund provided a valuable product to municipalities, beginning with an energy audit which quantifies savings associated with installation of LED’s, to managing the entire installation, to finally,  financing 100% of the costs associated with installation.  The SEF fronted the money for installation through a loan, and the city will pay that back with the money saved in electrical bills.  Within five years, the city will be keeping all of the savings and the implementation costs of the lights will be paid off.