How’s our lighting? That’s what Yukon Energy will be asking residents of Dawson City this fall and winter. The energy corporation has installed six Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights in Dawson as part of a pilot project looking into energy efficiencies.
LED streetlights require at least 50 percent less energy than regular streetlights and have a longer life span. They are starting to be used in many locations around the world including Alaska and British Columbia. The streetlights being used in Dawson City have back light shields that significantly reduce light pollution and are approved by the International Dark Sky Association.
“Research shows that LED lights work well in other places. We need to find out if they are a good lighting option for a community such as Dawson City, which typically has colder and darker winters than locations further south,” Yukon Energy spokesperson Janet Patterson said.
Yukon Energy staff installed the LED lights this week on Second Avenue in Dawson between Albert and York streets (just behind the City of Dawson offices). The lights will be monitored throughout the fall and winter for cold weather performance and energy use.
Yukon Energy is looking for input from Dawson residents regarding the lights. “Residents will be invited to fill out a questionnaire once they’ve had a chance to experience the lights for a few months,” Patterson said. “They can also provide feedback by calling or emailing us, or by posting a comment on our blog.”
If the lights prove to be a good choice for Dawson City, Yukon Energy will look at installing LED streetlights in all its major service areas including Dawson, Mayo and Faro.
In addition to this pilot project, Yukon Energy is working with Yukon Electrical Company Ltd. and the Yukon government to develop a comprehensive Demand Side Management (DSM) program. The program will look at a variety of ways to improve generation and transmission efficiencies as well as reduce energy consumption both by the utilities and by government, industrial, commercial and residential electrical customers.
Contact:
Janet Patterson
Communications, Yukon Energy Corporation
(867) 393-5333
janet.patterson@yec.yk.ca
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