NORTH BRUNSWICK — PSE&G is currently installing energy-efficient streetlights in North Brunswick.
The utility will replace 96,400 of the less efficient mercury vapor municipal streetlights with new induction fluorescent lights. The upgrades will provide an environmentally friendly source of light in addition to helping lower municipal lighting bills.
The new “green” fixtures last up to 100,000 hours before they need maintenance, use 30 to 40 percent less electricity, and contain significantly less mercury than the mercury vapor units they are replacing. They provide a number of additional benefits over mercury vapor lighting. They are a white light source that allows the eye to see objects more clearly. An electronic driver in the fixture allows for maximum energy efficiency, with less than 5 percent of energy consumed lost to heat.
“This is the township’s latest sustainable initiative, and we were eager to provide PSE&G with an approval. This conversion is expected to result in a savings of more than $10,000 a year in our street lighting account,” said Michael Hritz, director of Community Development.
“Sometimes sustainable items are not items that are good economically. Our main goal is to try and save money, to try and save taxpayers’ money, so if we get a green initiative that does both, we really benefit,” Councilman Ralph Andrews said.
PSE&G will invest $50 million to provide energy-efficient street lighting to the 220 municipalities in its service area. The lighting change-out is part of a $700 million capital program designed to stimulate the economy and provide jobs over two years by accelerating electric and gas infrastructure projects.
According to PSE&G, it is the first utility in the nation to provide these new fixtures, which are expected to reduce municipal lighting bills annually by $1 million in New Jersey.
An additional benefit of the program will be the reduction of an estimated 21,000 tons of CO2 gases and an estimated 45,000 megawatt hours annually.
“This program is a win-win for the communities we serve,” said Ralph LaRossa, president and COO of PSE&G. “It brings a new green source of lighting to our neighborhoods as it provides some relief to municipal budgets.”
PSE&G partnered with US Lighting Tech (USLT) of California in developing a solution to replacing obsolete mercury vapor streetlights. PSE&G’s street lighting team and USLT’s design and engineering team developed an innovative cobra-head replacement that delivers utility-grade performance with contemporary styling. The fixture is called “The Jersey” and features a contemporary housing with utility-grade latching and hinging components.
There are no upfront costs or charges to municipalities to participate in the program.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].