Streetlights going green
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
6/13/2009

Cherry Hill will be receiving a free makeover and will reduce its energy use as PSE&G announced the township would be part of a trial program to replace thousands of streetlights in the upcoming months.

Communications Director Dan Keashen announced the township would have nearly 4,500 mercury-vapor street lighting fixtures replaced by PSE&G with cleaner, greener induction lighting heads.

Representatives are estimating the move could save the township $15,000 on its street lighting bill.

Cherry Hill is one of the first 20 New Jersey communities selected for this pilot program. The traditional cobra-headed lights will be replaced with modern, green-colored models that use about half the energy, last twice as long, offer more illumination per watt, and remain virtually maintenance-free throughout their 10- to 20-year lifetimes, according to PSE&G officials.

“The only thing better than getting more efficient, aesthetic, and environmentally friendly street lights in place is getting them installed at no cost to taxpayers,” Mayor Bernie Platt said. “Being targeted for this pilot project spotlights the collaborative relationship we have been fostering with PSE&G – a company committed to helping us meet our goal of reducing electricity use and becoming a sustainable, energy-efficient community.”

Bonnie Sheppard, PSEG spokesperson, said the streetlight replacement program would be offered to all of the municipalities that receive lighting services from the company. The entire effort will cost the company about $50 million, she said.

The new green fixtures emit more light, last four times longer and cost less to operate than the older models, Sheppard said.

“The installation schedule was developed to provide equity to all municipalities large and small that have mercury vapor street lighting with PSE&G,” she said. “Cherry Hill is among the first group of 20 municipalities to receive the lighting upgrade. There is no upfront cost or charges to a municipality to participate in the program. The installations in Cherry Hill are expected to begin as soon as resources are secured, trained and deployed.”

According to Keashen, several years ago the township contacted its main energy provider that it be first in line for any new programs to increase the energy efficiency of public lighting structures. PSE&G should have workers out in the township within a few weeks, he said, starting the process of replacing the units.

The lights should be replaced at a clip of 400 per week, according to Keashen. The entire process should be completed by early September.