Racine, WI

Estimated Results Achieved from Completed Conversion
Number of Lights Committed Electricity Savings  kWh/yr) Value of Electricity Saved ($/yr) Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reductions (metric tonnes/yr)
500 174,250 $18,645 122

 

 

 

Program Description

The City of Racine was in search of financial mechanisms for broad-scale deployment of LED street lights. Small-scale projects were completed using Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

Service Area

WE Energies.

Situation Highlights

The City of Racine contains about 8,300 street lights, 4,800 of which are owned by WE Energies and about 3,300 owned by the city. About 1,000 street lights were removed earlier in a move to apply a street light spacing policy and cut operating costs to Racine. The completion of a small-scale conversion project for remaining city-owned lights proved to be a promising opportunity for broad-scale deployment. Racine has also expressed interest in a buyback option to acquire ownership and realize the maximum savings with LED street lighting upgrades. The most prominent barrier in Racine is financing, which has slowed progress.