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For Immediate Release: 11/16/17
John B. Rhodes, Chair
Contact: James Denn | Jame.Denn@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
17090/ 16-E-0710; 16-E-0711
November 16, 2017
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NYSEG, RG&E Expand Energy Efficient Street Lighting Options to MunicipalitiesReducing Electricity Use Could Result in $5.8 Million in Taxpayer Savings |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission), as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York’s communities, today approved New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) plan to offer company-owned light-emitting diodes (LED) street lighting options for municipal customers.
“Governor Cuomo has championed municipal government efficiency and encouraging municipalities to have greater control over their energy usage,” said Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “Implementing LED street-lighting options can play an important role in helping the State achieve its clean-energy goals. NYSEG and RG&E are encouraged to continue to look for additional ways to help improve their customers’ energy efficiency opportunities.”
Street light conversions fit well into Governor Cuomo’s strategy to empower communities to have more say over their energy use. Historically, municipalities could only pursue LED street lighting through their willingness to take over ownership of the street lights from the utility, an expenditure and responsibility many communities found they could not afford or take on. With today’s decision, NYSEG and RG&E will offer company-owned LED street-lighting options, enabling municipalities to achieve meaningful cost reductions while NYSEG and RG&E retain the responsibility for maintaining the street lights.
The Commission’s decision today also modified the initial plan to ensure that municipalities would receive even greater energy and cost savings and increased the pace at which conversions could occur.
For an average municipality, street lights may account for up to 40 percent of total local government electric energy consumption. Pursuing conversions allows local governments to lower municipal energy expenditures while also advancing the State’s efforts to lead on climate change by lowering overall emissions. The Commission’s decision today modified the initial plan to ensure that municipalities would receive even greater energy and cost savings and increased the pace at which conversions could occur.
The LED annual fixture charges are lower than the majority of current street-lighting fixtures in the companies’ service territories. Municipalities can save an average of $63, annually, per street light, by converting from existing street lights to the newly offered LED fixtures. There are approximately 81,500 such street lights in NYSEG’s service territory and 11,500 street lights in RG&E’s service territory. If all street lights were to be converted, annual combined savings to municipalities in the two regions could approach $5.8 million.
Street-lighting customers should consider their individual design objectives and make informed decisions regarding their options to upgrade to LED street lighting technology. The Commission noted that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority may provide technical assistance to municipalities in evaluating the various options. Some municipalities have determined taking ownership of the street lights is the best fit for their needs, in fact the Commission has approved 10 such sales over the last two years, including three municipalities served either by NYSEG or RG&E.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Numbers 16-E-0710 and 16-E-0711 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Reforming the Energy Vision is Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s strategy to lead on climate change and grow New York’s economy. REV is building a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers by stimulating investment in clean technologies like solar, wind, and energy efficiency and generating 50 percent of the state’s electricity needs from renewable energy by 2030. Already, REV has driven nearly 800 percent growth in the statewide solar market, enabled over 105,000 low-income households to permanently cut their energy bills with energy efficiency, and created thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering, and other clean tech sectors. REV is ensuring New York State reduces statewide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and achieves the internationally-recognized target of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050. To learn more about REV, including the Governor’s $5 billion investment in clean energy technology and innovation, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY and follow us at @Rev4NY.
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