Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Streetlight Conversion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council presses AEP conversion to LEDs after dozens of streetlights go dark; tariff and budget impacts unclear
Summary
Council and city staff discussed AEP’s conversion of out-of-service high-pressure sodium lights to LED after an audit identified dozens of outages in downtown blocks.
Wheeling council members pressed city officials Sept. 2 for clarity after American Electric Power (AEP) began converting high-pressure sodium streetlights to LED following a wave of outages in downtown blocks.
Councilor Acero said she had been informed that AEP completed an audit and planned to replace every light on the island from high-pressure sodium to LED. She said 44 lights were out on Zane and Virginia streets and the blocks between, and asked the city to seek compensation or credit from AEP for prolonged outages.
City Manager Mr. Herron told council that AEP has begun replacing lights where parts for high-pressure sodium fixtures are unavailable and that the utility is converting out-of-service fixtures to LED. He said the city will meet with AEP in the next two weeks to get a budgetary estimate of the impact. Mr. Herron said the conversion is driven in part by parts shortages for the older fixtures.
Councilors raised budget concerns about the tariff changes. Mr. Herron reported an approximate present monthly tariff of about $6.50 for the high-pressure sodium lights versus about $15.17 for the LED fixtures, and agreed the city needs to understand ongoing cost impacts. A council member also asked whether the city could appeal to the state Public Service Commission; Mr. Herron said he would check.
Why it matters: The utility-driven conversion affects downtown lighting, pedestrian safety and municipal budgets because LED fixtures in council’s readout carry a higher monthly tariff even if they have lower energy use. The city’s ability to negotiate credits or seek regulatory relief could affect future municipal costs.
What the meeting recorded: AEP began repairs and conversions after an audit; staff reported 44 lights in one area would be converted. The city manager described improved illumination quality from LEDs. Council requested that staff press AEP for written approval for decorative lighting installations in an alley and explore whether the city can seek credits or regulatory recourse for the cost differential.
Next steps: City staff will meet AEP in the coming two weeks to determine budgetary impact and will investigate options for credits and any Public Service Commission avenues.
