Cook County News Herald

Street lights upgraded to LED




Feeling brighter? Is it an uptick in your I.Q. or are you standing below one of the new street lights in Grand Marais?

At the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission (PUC) January 6 meeting the city’s Electric Superintendent Mike Taylor reported that his crew was in the process of changing 19 street lights along Highway 61 to LEDs (light emitting diodes).

Because LEDs don’t have a filament or a glass bulb, they are longer lasting and more durable than the lights they are replacing.

In the long run the conversion should save the city money, said Taylor, adding he had selected this group of lights because they were metered and it would be easy to keep track of the savings. Although the LED lights are initially more expensive, Taylor said the city would receive rebates that will offset the initial costs. Taylor said more LED street light replacements will be forthcoming, but in smaller groups.

Karl Hansen, PUC board chair, lauded the efforts of Taylor, and said the city should be a role model in switching over to LED lights because they are more efficient and environmentally friendly.



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