If you have driven around Shenandoah at night lately, you have probably notice how much brighter the new LED pole lights are. All lights were recently replaced by Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative at no cost to the town. We wanted to know more about the new lights, so we contacted the Public Relations department at the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative. Preston Knight filled us in on the much needed light replacement project.
The Town of Shenandoah had the oldest stock of street lights of any municipality served by SVEC’s eight-county, one-city territory. In determining the steps to take to replace the bulbs, the Cooperative decided to pursue LED lighting for the entire town, as opposed to again using mercury vapor or high-pressure sodium ones that had existed. The town primarily had mercury vapor bulbs.
LED lights present long-term cost savings in both efficiency and maintenance, and the initial capital costs to the Cooperative, while higher than the alternatives, are steadily decreasing. SVEC expects at least a 15-year lifespan on the new LED street lights. High-pressure sodium bulbs, in contrast, have a four-year replacement cycle.
SVEC’s contractor, American Lighting, completed the replacement of about 220 bulbs in Shenandoah last week. The project lasted less than two weeks.
The Cooperative advises residents to be aware that the LED bulbs do provide more of a white light, and they should not look directly into them. People should also notice that there is no light pollution a glow above the fixture from these lights.
Another benefit for the public will be the safety aspect of the bulbs. For example, the light will make it easier for police to gather information from a scene, since the color of dark vehicles or a suspect’s clothing can be better identified.
The response to the LED lights has been positive, and SVEC is pleased to continue to serve the Town of Shenandoah and build on our relationship with the community there.
Thanks again for your interest.
Preston Knight
Public Relations Representative
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
P.O. Box 236
Mt. Crawford, VA 22841
540-574-7277 (office); 540-820-0809 (cell)
