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Energy Efcient Light in Corvallis
Posted: May 23rd, 2013 ! Filled under: Feature ! Comments Closed
Increasing energy efciency and reducing light pollution is a priority in Corvallis. Adam Steele,
franchise utility specialist with the City of Corvallis, said it is standard practice that we look for
energy efcient lighting. As an example, he sites the remodel of City Halls parking lot where
inductive decorative lights were added.
The effort is part of the ongoing plan to evaluate the citys light
for energy efciency and cost. Lighting is a large budget item for the city, costing $485,000 a year.
The trafc lights in Corvallis are all LEDs, and there are about 50 inductive 70-watt lights throughout
the city. Inductive lights last longer and use much less energy than typical electric bulbs. In addition to
reducing energy waste, the city also began addressing light pollution.
Energy Efcient Light in Corvallis | The Corvallis Advocate http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2013/0523-energy-efcient-l...
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Though the effects of intrusive and excessive light on human health are not completely understood,
many communities are trying to reduce light pollution. The American Medical Association (AMA)
recommended more control of light pollution and glare in 2009. Many cited the dangers of glare for
drivers, in addition to sleep disruption and increased anxiety, in support of the AMAs policy shift.
City of Corvallis street lighting policy states, The City of Corvallis is interested in well-shielded,
energy efcient street lighting sources that direct the light source downward where it is needed, not up
or sideways where it is wasted and causes glare, light trespass, and bright skies.
All 300 city-owned streetlights have at lenses. Flat lenses signicantly reduce the amount of
dispersed light and focus the light down instead of up or around. But there are still lights within the
city that are not at lens.
At the request of the City, most of the nearly 3,000 lights owned by Pacic Power and Consumers
Power have been converted to at lenses over the last 10 years and the remaining non-at lenses are
being replaced with the new lenses as they need maintenance. The goal is to make neighborhoods
more livable by reducing the intrusion of bright light into homes and businesses. The cost for the at
lenses is the same as the drop lenses.
One major place where energy is not saved is the power source. Pacic Power, one of the citys two
power suppliers, gets more than half its power from fossil fuels. To see an energy map showing where
Oregon gets its power, visit http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/Pages
/Oregons_Electric_Power_Mix.aspx.
By Bridget Egan
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2013 The Corvallis Advocate. Copyright notice 5/01/14
The Corvallis Advocate publisher@corvallisadvocate.com
Energy Efcient Light in Corvallis | The Corvallis Advocate http://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2013/0523-energy-efcient-l...
3 of 3 5/3/14, 3:03 PM