Avista LED streetlights coming soon

Avista Utilities has been hard at work to convert thousands of streetlights with energy efficient LED bulbs by the end of the year.

A 2013 feasibility study for the change over was conducted in six communities across Washington, including Palouse.

Palouse saw 250 streetlights change to LED lights. That pilot study resulted in a return on investment in energy, maintenance and environmental benefits of more than twice the installation cost over 15 years.

“When Avista completes the transition to LED technology for company-owned streetlights, the energy savings are expected to be enough each night to power about 2,300 homes,” said Don Kopczynski, Avista’s vice president of energy delivery. “The energy savings will help Avista balance its load growth, while also providing savings through reduced maintenance, equipment, material and other costs associated with continued use of 1980s-era high pressure sodium lights.”

Four Whitman County communities were scheduled for the LED conversion by the end of the year, including Colfax, Colton, Tekoa and Uniontown, but those change overs have been delayed, said Paul Kimmell, regional business manager for Avista.

“We are continuing to revise that timeline,” he said. “We have been focusing on Spokane. It is taking a bit longer to get the program out than anticipated.”

Kimmell said Avista is waiting on a rate adjustment approval from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

“We are waiting on their ruling,” he said. He added that he anticipates approval by Jan. 1.

Colfax, Colton, Tekoa and Uniontown are all eligible for the Relight Washington program, which covers the funding associated with installation costs for the LED fixtures and was launched by the Washington Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). In eastern Washington, 46 small communities are eligible for the funding, which comes from three cents of the state fuel tax and driver’s license renewal fees.

“The whole intent of this is a way for smaller communities to realize some savings,” Kimmell said.

Kimmell said it is the TIB funding that is waiting on approval.

“With the Relight Washington program, the TIB is going to contribute capital dollars into those communities to reduce the cost of that street light,” he said.

When the transition does take place, Colfax will see 252 lights changed over, while Colton and Uniontown will combine for 55 and Tekoa will have 124 changed over.

Other eligible communities in Whitman County, which will be upgraded in the next five years, include Albion, Endicott, Farmington, Garfield, LaCrosse, Lamont, Malden, Oakesdale, Pullman, Rosalia and St. John. Communities are eligible based on two criteria, which include having a population of 5,000 or less and/or assessed property value in the community at $2 billion or less.