Duke Energy presents street‑light options and new online repair tool to Barrier Islands council

Duke Energy manager Carter Williams told the Barrier Islands council the company is streamlining how municipalities request street‑light repairs and upgrades and is offering turtle‑friendly amber fixtures along beaches. "We aim to repair street lights within 3 days," Williams said, describing an online portal he called SAILOR (Street and Area Light Repair) that uses GPS to pinpoint defects and replace fixtures.

Williams said Duke maintains roughly 2,500 turtle‑friendly amber lights across Florida and uses wildlife‑sensitive mapping, set by Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC), to determine where amber fixtures are required. "This narrow band is about, 590 nanometers, and that's recommended, for the turtle nesting and, emerging hatchlings," he said. Williams explained that amber fixtures carry a slightly higher monthly charge than Duke's standard 3,000 Kelvin product because of energy usage, but that LED upgrades can lower monthly bills and are often provided at no upfront cost to municipalities under a 10‑year contract.

He also briefed the council on a 2025 tariff change affecting holiday receptacles: under the new LS‑1 tariff customers' receptacles must be utility‑owned or removed, and Duke will audit receptacles and coordinate installations and billing with local governments. Williams said the receptacles include GFCI protection and that Duke will communicate implementation steps to cities in mid‑September.

The presentation drew questions about cost differences and partnerships with FDOT for lights on state roads; Williams said some coastal corridors require FDOT coordination and encouraged municipalities to reach out to his team for site evaluation and to begin LED upgrade or amber lighting projects.