Xcel Energy Replacing Streetlights in 8 States

Xcel Energy is replacing streetlights in the eight states it serves. The project will take five years and cost $100 million, according to a story at EnergyBiz that originally posted at The StarTribune.

The first stop is Minnesota, where it will switch all of its 100,000 existing lights with LEDs. The story says that the installation costs can be offset by energy and maintenance savings. Xcel expects to save 3.6 percent to 6.6 percent — $3,000 to $5,000 – in a modest size city. About 30 Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis, have discussed the change with the Xcel.

One method of implementing the program is to have crews switch in LEDs when existing lights fail. Xcel also is active in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Last month, Xcel Energy said that it will refund $18.6 million to its Texas customers. The refunds were made possible by lower natural gas prices and cheaper imports into the Panhandle and South Plains region.