Politics & Government

New Streetlights Being Tested in Benicia's Bridgeview Neighborhood

The city will replace about 2,000 streetlights using two kinds of lights.

Benicia is moving forward with the replacement of approximately 2,000 sodium vapor streetlights, but there may be a change in the project that has the potential to net greater savings for taxpayers.

The streetlight replacement is part of the larger Renewable Energy and Conservation Project that was adopted in October 2010  and is being carried out by Chevron Energy Solutions.   In March 2011 the council amended the scope of the project to include the replacement of 2,024 sodium vapor streetlights with induction bulb units at a cost of $724,000.

Since that agreement was signed a new LED streetlight design has been introduced by Bridgelux, a Livermore based company.

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The new Bridgelux LEDs emit more light than the induction units CES originally planned to use in Benicia, have a longer warranty and use less enrgy.  According to Public Works and Community Development Director Charlie Knox, Chevron Energy Solutions has agreed to replace half of Benicia’s streetlights with the new LED technology.  Normally that would increase the project cost by at least $230,000 but, according to Knox, Chevron has agreed not to increase the cost to the city.

Forbes.com reports that Chevron Energy Solutions has entered into an agreement with Bridgelux to use the Livermore company’s LED streetlights in replacement projects in four California cities including Benicia.

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In Benicia, the new LED streetlights are currently being tested on Lori Drive.  Knox says residents of the Bridgeview neighborhood have given him feedback on the new lights and Bridgelux is making minor adjustments to make the new lights more appropriate for a suburban setting.

“We are just one little reflector modification away from having it right,” said Knox.

If the new lights work as well as the manufacturer anticipates Benicia taxpayers will realize greater savings than originally anticipated from the project.

The final version of the new lights should be installed by Friday, March 9 and citizens can get a chance to see both the new induction lights and the new LED lights on Lori Drive.  The LEDs are between West Seventh Street and Edna Court and the induction lights stretch from Edna to Shirley Drive.

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