Towns purchase utility-owned streetlights
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January 31, 2000
MMA Innovation Award winner - award presented on Jan. 29, 2000
The towns of Acton and Lexington have purchased streetlights to save money, provide better service, promote public safety, and provide leadership in the field of electricity deregulation.
Ten years ago, the communities sought to replace their standard streetlights because they were inconsistent with the historic character of the communities. They opted to embark on a program to examine alternative lighting that was equally energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing. During the process, Lexington chose to turn off nearly 40 percent of its streetlights. Acton, also in a money-saving effort, had placed a 20-year moratorium on additional streetlights, limiting the number to 750.
Following the deregulation of the electricity industry, Lexington and Acton jointly sought to purchase their respective streetlight inventories from Boston Edison. The communities prevailed following a ruling from the Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and negotiated the purchase and sales agreement.
Lexington is expected to operate its entire streetlight system for less that $300,000 annually, as opposed to the $521,000 it was paying to Boston Edison. Likewise, Acton will operate its system for less than $75,000 annually, some $50,000 less than its previous bill. The towns expect to provide superior service and will use the 40 percent savings to convert all of the old streetlights to state-of-the-art energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, because the towns own their streetlights, they are eligible for energy conservation grants to help pay for the conversion.
Innovation award judges
The MMA Innovation Award judges for 2000 were Mark Morse, president of MMA Consulting Group, and Marilyn Contreas, a senior program and policy analyst for the Department of Housing and Community Development.
- Written by MMA Publications/Web Director John Ouellette
