Rhonda Haskins, CPA,
Chief Financial Officer
PWC is nearing the completion of its conversion of all streetlights from less efficient traditional lights to LED (Light Emitting Diode) street lights. LEDs have a longer life and use less energy than traditional street lights. Other benefits include a better quality and a more consistent light, which will result in few dark areas between lights and better illumination of our streets. LED lighting also helps PWC meet State mandates for Renewable Energy (Senate Bill 3).
As of the Fall of 2020, over 36,000 lights have been installed and the only remaining lights to be converted are approximate 500 of PWC’s 500 thoroughfare lights.
The PWC project began in 2013 with a pilot program involving nine neighborhoods which were considered under lit or lit to older standards were identified for the pilot to test multiple LED street lighting fixtures. This, along with input from City of Fayetteville Public Safety and residents, helped to determine which types best fit the needs of our system. With the results of the pilot, PWC developed a system-wide change out program. This system-wide installation began in 2015 and was expected to take 5-7 years to be completed. During individual installation projects, PWC staff coordinated with the Parks and Recreation Department for tree trimming in underground electric service areas.