PPL Electric Utilities recognizes City of Scranton for streetlight efficiency upgrades

PPL Electric Utilities presented William Courtright, the mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania, with a check for more than $130,000 earlier this week for the rebates earned by the city by installing new energy efficient streetlights.

The central Pennsylvania city replaced 5,713 high-pressure sodium streetlights and 48 mercury vapor streetlights with energy-efficient LED lights.

“Before it was a huge issue,” Courtright said. “At least a couple of times a week, maybe more than a couple of times a week, my office was getting called about a streetlight out. These are going to last for quite a long time.”

Scranton, which is nicknamed the Electric City, expects to save approximately 2.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year because of the upgrades. Taxpayers are expected to save at least $125,000 per year in electricity costs.

Scranton was eligible for the rebate program from PPL, because it owns its own streetlights.

“We’re pleased to support the city of Scranton in moving toward greater energy efficiency and financial savings,” John Davis, director of Business Services & Strategy at PPL, said. “We encourage all customers to check out our rebates and other programs, and take advantage of the opportunities.”

Scranton expects to save a combined $400,000 per year in electricity costs through all of its energy saving initiatives.