Millersburg to find energy savings in low-watt street lights
An agreement with American Electric Power (AEP) will keep Millersburg’s streets well-illuminated.
Millersburg Village Council voted Monday, Jan. 23, to request AEP reduce all street lights in the village to 100-watt fixtures. The project is aimed at reducing electric consumption and will be completed by AEP.
There are 355 street lights throughout the village, 65 of which are 200-watt fixtures and 48 are 400-watt fixtures. The remainder are 100-watt fixtures.
According to an AEP estimate, the village will save $11,743.56 per year on its electric bills by bringing down all fixtures to 100 watts.
Nate Troyer, village administrator, said AEP suggested the 100-watt fixtures after the village approached them looking for savings. Initially, the village considered turning off every other street light to cut back on its electric bill.
“We had talked about taking out every other pole, but the customer service rep said, you might try this first,” Troyer said.
Mayor Jeff Huebner said turning off every other light would not have brought about any real savings. AEP charges fees for disconnection and a monthly service fee for dormant street lights, Huebner said, and further charges a reconnection fee if the light is to be turned back on.
The only way to avoid the fees would be to remove the lights altogether, Huebner said.
Several members of council questioned the effects the change may have. Councilmember Greg Hardesty asked if the overall amount of light will be diminished. After hearing that AEP would do the project at no cost to the village, Councilmember Jim Beachy asked, “What’s the catch?”
Troyer and Huebner said the project can be revisited if the 100-watt fixtures prove to be inadequate.
“We have hundreds of 100 watts and I can’t tell the difference,” Huebner said. “Hopefully, no one will notice the difference” after the change is made.
In other business, Troyer informed council that an agreement to purchase road salt through the Ohio Department of Transportation has been put on hold. The village had hoped to begin purchasing salt through the program starting in February.
Troyer said the village will be able to participate in the program in time for the 2012-2013 winter. ODOT offers salt at a county-wide rate, which has come in lower than what the village usually pays.
Troyer said “potential changes in next year’s bid” has resulted in the delay.
Council further approved demolition of a two-story cinder block structure located at the village street department. The building, which needs repairs to the roof and floors, has not been used for years. Demolition will be carried out in-house using village crews, Troyer said.
The next meeting of Millersburg Village Council will be held Feb. 13.
Millersburg Village Council voted Monday, Jan. 23, to request AEP reduce all street lights in the village to 100-watt fixtures. The project is aimed at reducing electric consumption and will be completed by AEP.
There are 355 street lights throughout the village, 65 of which are 200-watt fixtures and 48 are 400-watt fixtures. The remainder are 100-watt fixtures.
According to an AEP estimate, the village will save $11,743.56 per year on its electric bills by bringing down all fixtures to 100 watts.
Nate Troyer, village administrator, said AEP suggested the 100-watt fixtures after the village approached them looking for savings. Initially, the village considered turning off every other street light to cut back on its electric bill.
“We had talked about taking out every other pole, but the customer service rep said, you might try this first,” Troyer said.
Mayor Jeff Huebner said turning off every other light would not have brought about any real savings. AEP charges fees for disconnection and a monthly service fee for dormant street lights, Huebner said, and further charges a reconnection fee if the light is to be turned back on.
The only way to avoid the fees would be to remove the lights altogether, Huebner said.
Several members of council questioned the effects the change may have. Councilmember Greg Hardesty asked if the overall amount of light will be diminished. After hearing that AEP would do the project at no cost to the village, Councilmember Jim Beachy asked, “What’s the catch?”
Troyer and Huebner said the project can be revisited if the 100-watt fixtures prove to be inadequate.
“We have hundreds of 100 watts and I can’t tell the difference,” Huebner said. “Hopefully, no one will notice the difference” after the change is made.
In other business, Troyer informed council that an agreement to purchase road salt through the Ohio Department of Transportation has been put on hold. The village had hoped to begin purchasing salt through the program starting in February.
Troyer said the village will be able to participate in the program in time for the 2012-2013 winter. ODOT offers salt at a county-wide rate, which has come in lower than what the village usually pays.
Troyer said “potential changes in next year’s bid” has resulted in the delay.
Council further approved demolition of a two-story cinder block structure located at the village street department. The building, which needs repairs to the roof and floors, has not been used for years. Demolition will be carried out in-house using village crews, Troyer said.
The next meeting of Millersburg Village Council will be held Feb. 13.
Published: January 25, 2012
