ELKHART, Ind., – The City of Elkhart’s streets are brighter, safer, and more energy efficient thanks to Indiana Michigan Power’s (I&M) new Public Efficient LED Streetlight Project.
The City of Elkhart was the first municipality in Indiana to complete converting streetlights I&M owns and operates on behalf of the city with LED streetlights. I&M crews and business partners converted more than 3,000 streetlights along public roadways at no additional cost to the city or its residents. I&M estimates Elkhart’s upgrade to LEDs will reduce electricity use for streetlights nearly 100,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, which is enough energy to power 80 homes.
“The City of Elkhart is proud to partner with Indiana Michigan Power in the Public Efficient LED Streetlight Project. We are extremely grateful to be the first city in Indiana Michigan Power’s program to have its streetlights fully converted,” said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson. “We hope residents are pleased with this new technology that provides increased safety and visibility in our neighborhoods. We appreciate their patience throughout the duration of the project.”
Through April 2022, I&M has installed just over 16,000 new LED street lights under this program. The LED streetlights provide numerous energy efficiency, safety and cost-saving benefits to eligible municipalities, residents and I&M customers. The LED streetlights I&M is installing through the Public Efficient LED Streetlight Project can last up to 10 to 12 years, which is more than 4 to 6 times longer than high-pressure sodium streetlights. The bulbs also use 40% to 65% less energy compared to existing streetlights.
“Indiana Michigan Power is dedicated to using advanced technology to improve the lives of our communities and our customers 365, 24/7,” said William Tokash, I&M’s manager of Clean Energy Solutions. “We couldn’t be more proud to partner with this thriving community on improved, more efficient and safer LED street lighting so Elkhart can continue its growth for years to come.”
The LED streetlights provide more direct and focused lighting along public roadways – increasing driver and pedestrian visibility with significantly less glare. I&M crews and business partners will continue to maintain the streetlights it owns and operates on public roadways in Indiana and Michigan on behalf our municipal customers.
While Elkhart was the first city to fully convert and collaborate with I&M in the Public Efficient LED Street Lighting Project, it’s available to all eligible municipalities in Indiana within I&M’s service area. I&M is also partnering with 46 municipalities including South Bend, Muncie, Marion, Portland, Hartford City, Winchester and Yorktown to name a few.
I&M encourages communities and cities interested in upgrading to LED streetlights who have not already been contacted to reach out to their local community affairs manager:
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2021 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 30,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,100 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.