2004

RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: Tom Collins
1-866-697-3732 (NYSERDA) ext. 3250

CITY INSTALLS NEW ENERGY-SAVING TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT 299 INTERSECTIONS
NEW LIGHTS SAID TO BE SAFER

Syracuse, NY- January 28, 2004 - The City of Syracuse has improved traffic signals at 299 intersections with energy-efficient Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) traffic lights. The new LED lamps, installed in 10,044 traffic lights, will aid in protecting both vehicular and pedestrian traffic while saving the City over $225,000 annually. The City partnered with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which contributed $537,240 to the project. Conservation Station, Inc. was the energy service company overseeing the project.

Incandescent lamps in traffic signals were replaced with LED lights, which have 10 times the life expectancy of the incandescent fixtures. Energy savings is also considerable as a red incandescent lamp requires 135 watts while a 12 inch red LED uses just 10 watts. In an LED fixture each colored light consists of over a hundred light emitting diodes. For example, if a red incandescent lamp fixture burns out on a traffic signal, the entire red light is non-functional and a portion of the intersection is without that particular traffic signal. With an LED fixture, if one LED that composes the red light burns out, the remainder continue to function and traffic flow through the intersection is not interrupted.

"In efforts to reduce electricity consumption, save money on utility bills, and protect our pedestrians and motorists, we invested in the new, improved traffic lamps," said Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll . "The new lamps significantly decrease maintenance costs and improve motorist visibility. The City expects to see a payback of our investment in less than 2 ½ years, and we thank NYSERDA for assisting us in financing this project. We also thank Conservation Station for providing the technical expertise needed to see this project to fruition."

"I applaud the City of Syracuse for making an investment that will save the City money, save energy, and improve safety at important intersections," said NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith at a check presentation ceremony held at City Hall in Syracuse today. "Governor Pataki has stressed the importance of energy conservation, and the City of Syracuse has stepped up to the plate in this effort. The LED project will assist in lowering electric usage, and equally as important it will improve safety at these intersections by providing a higher quality traffic light with increased reliability ."

Funding for this project comes from the New York Energy $mart^SM Commercial/Industrial Program. All New York Energy $mart^SM programs are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG, Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under an agreement with the Public Service Commission.

New York Energy $mart^SM programs are designed to lower electricity costs by encouraging energy efficiency as the State's electric utilities move to competition. The programs are available to electric distribution customers (residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial) who pay into the SBC.

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