The city of Lexington is in talks with Kentucky Utilities about switching to LED streetlights. James Bush with Lexington's Division of Environmental Policy says LED streetlights tend to last about twice as long as traditional street lighting. Bush says the city has a lease agreement with Kentucky Utilities and Bluegrass Rural Electric Cooperative for operation of street lights. He says all sides must agree to the change. "The city does not have operational control of the lights. We cannot lift a head and screw in a LED lightbulb, so to speak. So, we are somewhat at their behest, but that is an ongoing conversation. Both sides are willing," said Bush.
Bush says there is a higher up front cost for LED streetlights. He says it's hard to predict a timeline on the move. "Solid state lighting is the future, both in the interior lighting sector as well as the street lights. Whether or not they retrofit or roll them out in new subdivisions I guess will, their own accounting books will decide that," added Bush.
Bush says the best example of LED street lighting can be seen around Thoroughbred Park downtown. ?
