This week Xcel Energy is upgrading streetlights in Ellsworth, Prescott and Hager City to high-efficiency LEDs as part of a massive project to upgrade thousands of Xcel-owned streetlights across its Wisconsin service area.

These three communities are among the first of nearly 200 communities in western and northern Wisconsin to have their streetlights converted to energy-efficient LEDs from cobra head, high pressure sodium vapor bulbs. Crews will install LED replacement fixtures in 40 other communities in St. Croix, Polk, Pierce, Dunn and Barron counties this year.

“We began rolling out the LED conversion project last week and it will continue over the next few years,” said Brian Elwood, Xcel’s community service manager.

North Hudson and Hudson were first on the list. Next is Ellsworth (which wraps up Tuesday, Oct. 20), Prescott, Hager City and outlying areas of River Falls. In March or April, Spring Valley will have its lights converted.

The project costs nothing for communities, said Elwood. The LEDs use 40 to 60 percent less electricity than HPSV lights, Elwood said, which could translate to 2 to 7 percent savings for municipalities’ energy bills.

Ellsworth Public Works Director Greg Engeset said in an email that the village pays a flat monthly fee for the streetlights as they are unmetered. He wasn’t sure if Xcel will lower the monthly rate per light or not.

Xcel Energy Senior Communications Consultant Liz Wolf Green said Xcel is replacing 300,000 streetlights in the company’s eight-state service territory, including 25,000 in Wisconsin. The cost of the project is approximately $100 million.

In Ellsworth, 186 lights will be converted; 229 in Prescott; and 11 in Hager City.

“The new street lights will increase visibility, enhance safety and help our communities save energy and money,” Elwood said.

Their longer life span (up to 10 years) means fewer replacements and less maintenance.

“LED costs have come down and it has made it a very cost efficient project for us,” Elwood said.

“We’ve heard from a lot of communities and customers in Pierce County on the importance of sustainable lighting, energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

Elwood said LEDs provide a much different light than the “yellowy-orange” HPSV lights. He described LED light as a crisp, white light which is almost directional, light a flashlight. He also said the color of objects under LED lighting is much truer to their actual color.

“The project is going very well and we’ve received a lot of good feedback,” Elwood said.

More information can be found at xcelenergy.com.

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