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Um, Why Is Cary Getting 8,000 New Streetlamps Again?

Cree's LED streetlights on Franklin St. in Chapel Hill
cree.com

Those 8,000 new street lamps will save money, and are a green choice.

The Town of Cary has announced a partnership with Duke Energy Progress to switch out most of its high-pressure sodium streetlamps (the yellow kind) with LED lamps (the white kind).

LEDs are more easily directed in a specific direction and also more energy efficient. So not only can the town do a better job of putting the light on the road (as opposed to spilling off into the neighboring areas), they'll also save an estimated $200,000 a year.

Plus, many of the towns streetlamps have been around for decades and could use a facelift.

"A lot the lights around town are really old," said Kyle Hubert, the engineer leading the project. "They've gotten weathered, they've gotten dirty. As the light ages it gets dimmer. "

Hubert said the project will start next week and should last about a year.

The town attempted a trial run with about 30 of the LED lights back in 2010. Hubert says that trial, along with a new leasing rate with Duke Energy, were what convinced the town to move forward.

Stories, features and more by WUNC News Staff. Also, features and commentary not by any one reporter.
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