NYSERDA Press Releases

City of Utica Employs LED Technology To Reduce Electricity Costs

NYSERDA Provides More Than $100,000 For LED Traffic Signals

Utica, NY – The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will provide more than $105,000 to the City of Utica for installing light-emitting diode (LED) traffic signals at 178 City intersections.

"In today's slow economy, energy efficiency is an effective strategy for saving money," said Peter R. Smith, NYSERDA acting president. "Governor Pataki and NYSERDA are promoting the idea of energy efficiency to help customers like the City of Utica reduce operating costs. These new LED traffic lights will save tens of thousands of dollars for the taxpayers."

"Once again the City of Utica is grateful for the support of Governor Pataki and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority in our efforts to upgrade the City's aging traffic signal system," Mayor Julian said. Julian continued, "LED technology will represent a considerable energy cost savings to the taxpayer while increasing traffic safety in our community by minimizing the time signals are out of service and reducing the time and expense of required maintenance."

"With NYSERDA's financial and technical support, New York State is committed to helping municipalities like the City of Utica identify energy-saving opportunities," said Senator Raymond Meier. "By implementing LED traffic lighting, this project will demonstrate how simple energy efficiency upgrades can benefit the taxpayers. I encourage other municipalities, businesses and consumers to look into the NYSERDA programs as a means of saving money."

"This project demonstrates how the City of Utica, through a partnership with NYSERDA can use new technology to reduce energy and maintenance costs, and improve public safety," Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D-Rome) said. "This new project to modernize traffic lights will not only result in a much better system to control traffic, but it also will save taxpayers dollars for many years to come. It is a good example of the type of project NYSERDA regularly designs for municipalities around New York State."

Using very little electricity, LED technology is a solid state device with a rated life of more than 20 years. As a result, the maintenance and replacement of the traffic lights will be minimal and the City is expected to save nearly $40,000 in annual energy costs. Compared to incandescent traffic lights, the LED lights will save nearly 800,000 kWh annually, which is enough electricity to power more than 130 homes for a year. The energy service company, Conservation Station, Inc. of Califon, N.J, provided technical support to the project.

This project was funded through NYSERDA's Commercial/Industrial Performance Program, which provides financial incentives to energy service companies and engineering firms that work with municipal, industrial, and commercial utility customers to identify and implement energy-saving strategies. The incentives, combined with the energy savings, help to pay for the capital improvements. The level of incentives that NYSERDA provides depends on the level of energy savings achieved in a given project as well as the types of efficiency measures implemented.

Since 1998, NYSERDA has provided more than $6 million to support more than 120 projects in Oneida County. Combined with co-funding from NYSERDA's partners, the value of these projects is more than $15 million. Among some of the other customers NYSERDA is working with in Oneida County is: Utica Boilers, Inc., Baker Electromotive, Inc., Oneida City School District, Matt Brewing Co., and Turning Stone Resort and Casino.

Funding for this project comes from the New York Energy $mart^SM program, which is 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.

###