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SFPUC moves to allow LED and induction streetlights on interim basis
Summary
Commissioners gave interim authorization to use LED and induction streetlighting technologies while staff develops a comprehensive citywide streetlight portfolio and standards, citing energy savings, life‑cycle cost analysis and Better Streets policies.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission voted to grant interim authority to the Power Enterprise to approve and install induction and LED streetlight technologies while staff develops a full streetlight program and a portfolio of standardized fixtures.
Mary Tinkin, project manager for Power Enterprise, told the commission the program aims to standardize about 43,000 streetlights in the city, to realize energy and maintenance savings and to promote better urban design. "We envision it to be a set of policies and standards that will be used by the PUC as well as other agencies to govern the installation of streetlights in the city of San Francisco," Tinkin said.
Commissioners and staff discussed lifecycle costs, recyclability (mercury and fluorescent content), neighborhood disparities in lighting levels, and the need to address legacy incandescent neighborhood systems that will soon require retrofit. Sue Black, utility services manager, said the utility must convert older incandescent systems and that funding constraints make phased conversion necessary.
Staff estimated $325,000 for program development and proposed a 13–14 month schedule to produce the plan, a public engagement process and criteria for approval. Commissioners asked for mapping of lighting disparities by ZIP code and an overlay showing where incandescent systems require replacement.
The commission approved the interim authority to allow LED and induction fixtures to be used under documented criteria for projects currently proceeding, while staff develops the comprehensive policy and reporting back on installations.
