Unitil, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, worked closely with town officials to install new street lighting fixtures that reduce energy usage by more fifty percent.
More than 100 LED fixtures were installed throughout most of the town in place of older-style 50 and 100-watt high-pressure sodium lighting.
"It was a true partnership with the town. Not only does the new lighting use electricity more efficiently, it is brighter and lasts longer than the previous bulbs."
Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara
According to Townsend’s Board of Selectmen Chair Sue Lisio, the street light replacement project is an important step toward the town’s commitment to the Green Communities Act, while also reducing cost and improving public safety. Both Lisio and Town Administrator Jim Kreidler thanked the Townsend Energy Committee and Unitil for bringing the project to fruition.
It is estimated that the 109 fixtures will save the town 17,455 kWh of electricity annually versus the old lighting that consumed more than double. According to O’Meara the estimated lifetime savings, more than 10 years, is enough to supply electricity to more than 24 homes for an entire year.
A Unitil rebate of $11,000 reduces the $22,311 project so the payback period is less than one and half years.
