Published January 15 2015
The City of Bellevue and Puget Sound Energy are teaming up to replace half the city's streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights. With a grant from the state Department of Commerces Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants program and PSE rebates, 4,066 PSE-owned lights and 176 city-owned lights will be upgraded over the next two years.
The replacement of sodium lights with LED (light-emitting diode) technology will cut the city's energy costs by $173,000 annually, while providing a whiter, brighter light. Over the past several years the city has installed LED streetlights in parts of Factoria, Wilburton, Bel-Red and Lake Hills.
"After plenty of planning, organizing and engineering work by both the City of Bellevue and PSE, it's time to see the results with new-energy efficient LED luminaires going up throughout the city," says Dawn Midtbo, manager of lighting at PSE. "Kudos to Bellevue for once again being a leader in energy efficiency."
A new, interactive map allows residents to search by address to see where and when streetlights throughout the city will be upgraded. The map and other details about LED streetlights is available at LED Streetlgiht Conversion.
The upgrading of current street lighting around Bellevue is scheduled to begin in February.