Bridgewater signs on to streetlight replacement program

NOVA SCOTIA - Bridgewater has agreed to participate in a streetlight replacement project that would see dozens of town lights replaced with a Halifax company's new energy-efficient fixtures.

LED Roadway Lighting said that after years of research it's created a product that will cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by about 52 per cent and contains no lead or mercury.

Bridgewater is one of at least five agencies that's signed on to the pilot project. LED Roadway Lighting wants support from the province's ecoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change before going ahead with the program.

The project involves replacement of 1,000 light fixtures in several Nova Scotia municipalities. Bridgewater would see 100 of the 1,500 fixtures in town replaced with the new ones.

The LED Roadway Lighting product has a retail value of $1,250 "and they will be provided to pilot communities at little or no cost once confirmation of the pilot program funding is confirmed with our government partners," said Ken Cartmill, one of the company's executives, in an e-mail to the town.

The company said $2.9 million has gone into researching and developing the technology which it believes offers "a true alternative to the currently available metal halide and high- and low-pressure sodium fixtures," its web site states.

Bridgewater rents its light fixtures from Nova Scotia Power, a common practice of other municipalities.

Mayor Carroll Publicover called the LED Roadway Lighting program a "progressive" one and suggested it would be nice if the town could convert more of its light fixtures to energy-efficient models.

Town engineer Harland Wyand sees the project as a chance to do some good experimental work to see how the town can optimize the use of the LED lights.

The application deadline for the latest round of funding available from the ecoNova Scotia for Clean Air and Climate Change program was October 31.

LED Roadway Lighting had expressed an interest in applying, Nova Scotia Environment Department spokesman Bruce Nunn said.

"Applications are decided upon by a panel of experts," Mr. Nunn said. "Who is successful in this round will be announced at a future date."