Smart Street Lighting NY Program Reaches 500,000 Installed Streetlights Goal

A shot of streetlights along Transit Road in Elma, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated New York state’s achievement of installing 500,000 SMART LED streetlights across the state through the Smart Street Lighting NY program, fulfilling the promise made by Hochul to in 2018.

“New York is making incredible progress towards our climate agenda every day, and the latest example is the completion of the Smart Street Lighting NY program nearly three years ahead of schedule,” Hochul stated. “This common-sense program saves municipalities money and curbs statewide electricity use, and I urge New York communities to continue to work with state partners to advance energy-efficient upgrades.”

Administered by the New York Power Authority, Smart Street Lighting NY worked together with the New York State Public Service Commission in the streetlight sales and acquisition process for multiple municipalities across New York state.

“Municipalities across the state have been participating in the Smart Street Lighting NY program because it is among the most effective ways to upgrade critical energy infrastructure, save tax-payer dollars, and increase municipal energy efficiency,” remarked New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll of the program. “The Power Authority has partnered with more than 130 municipalities throughout New York to achieve the state’s goal of replacing 500,000 streetlights with LED fixtures—an incredible achievement that has significantly reduced New York’s electricity use. I’m especially proud of NYPA’s role in leading this effort working with municipalities across the state.”

Smart Street Lighting NY directly supports New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, one of the nation’s most aggressive clean energy laws, with the ultimate goal of reducing electricity demand by 3% by 2025.

“New York has long-encouraged municipalities to reduce their energy usage and demonstrate climate leadership,” New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian commented. “Implementing LED street-lighting options can play an important role in helping the State achieve its clean-energy goals in support of New York’s nation-leading clean energy initiatives.”