Baldwin Manager Pursuing All LED Streetlights

An All-LED Borough?

The future may indeed be bright for Baldwin Borough.

No, the downed streetlights aren't coming back. But in an interview on Wednesday, borough Manager John Barrett said that Duquesne Light anticipates that LED technology will be available for its served municipalities in June of 2014.

"We have been informed that a formal request has been made with the PUC (Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission) for an LED streetlight tariff," Barrett said. "The LED tariff means that Duquesne Light will have a tariff rate to charge municipalities for LED lighting that they would make available. Up until now, Duquesne Light has stated that they can't provide LED lighting for a number of reasons—one being that a tariff has not been established for them to use.

"Tariffs (rates per kilowatt hour) must be approved by the PUC, who oversees the utility industry."

Though they typically have higher upfront costs, LED lights, or light-emitting diodes, are considered to be more cost-effective than typical lights because of a longer lifespan and more efficient brightness.

Should Barrett get his way, every streetlight in Baldwin will have LED technology as soon as possible.

That could come as a relief to at least some residents of the borough who have expressed concern over a lack of light in Baldwin ever since more than 27 percent of its streetlights were taken down in order to save money.

Barrett said that no downed streetlights would be reinstalled with LED lights.

"Our belief is that, if LED lights are installed, there won't be a need to reinstall additional lights," he said. "The LED light is brighter and whiter and won't need as many lights."

UPDATE: According to Barrett, the only way that Baldwin can "shop" for other energy providers in this instance would be if the borough assumed ownership of its light poles. The poles are currently the property of Duquesne Light, and the borough is charged monthly for their use.

Borough administration has requested that Duquesne Light provide them with a cost to purchase the poles. But Duquesne Light has not yet been able to provide that number to Baldwin, Barrett said.

Bid Awarded for 2013 Road Program

The Baldwin Council awarded a contract for the borough's 2013 road program on Tuesday night to Morgan Excavating at a cost of $770,259.30, which includes an add alternate bid.

The roads set to be repaired are:

The council also awarded a $13,250 crack sealing contract to Matcon Diamond.

Baldwin Council Opts to Keep Swimming Rates the Same

Read here.

Click here for more Baldwin Borough news.

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