Streetlight De-Energizing Plan: Frequently Asked Questions
November 4, 2010 Update: DTE Energy is working today and tomorrow to re-energize 46 streetlights that were de-energized in June as part of the technical pilot. City Council voted at its October 4, 2010 meeting to suspend the streetlight de-energizing program and re-energize streetlights in the pilot area.
1. Why is the City of Ann Arbor de-energizing some of its streetlights?
In response to the fiscal crisis that is affecting local governments across Michigan, the adopted Ann Arbor City Budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins on July 1, 2010, includes plans to de-energize approximately 1,250 streetlights to reduce $120,000 annually in energy costs, which are supported by the General Fund. Rate increases from DTE Energy have raised annual streetlights General Fund costs to about $1.6 million in fiscal year 2010. The city has been actively working on other cost-saving measures, including converting downtown streetlights to LED to save $100,000 per year. De-energizing was deemed necessary in addition to these other cost savings in order to balance the fiscal year 2011 budget.
2. How many streetlights will be de-energized?
Approximately 17 percent (approximately 1,250) of the city’s 7,000 streetlights are slated to be de-energized. Streetlights slated for turn off do not include city-owned lights in the downtown district which have been converted to LED and already capture energy and maintenance savings.
3. How did city staff identify streetlights that would be de-energized?
Specific lighting criteria were used to identify the approximately 1,250 streetlights that will be de-energized; these streetlights were found to surpass lighting guidelines. City streetlight specifications include: 190-foot maximum spacing between streetlights outside of the downtown and 40- to 60-foot maximum spacing between streetlights in the downtown. The 190-foot spacing is derived from the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's (IESNA) Recommended Practice for Roadway Lighting, and has been the city's standard specification since the late 1970s.
4. How do we have so many streetlights that exceed our specification?
The city's streetlight spacing specification is a maximum distance between poles. Many streetlights in the city were installed by developers of subdivisions or by DTE Energy and are spaced closer than the specification requires. In order to limit new installations and control costs, the city issued a moratorium on new street lighting in 2006, except where the developer installing the lighting agrees to a special assessment district to cover the lights' operating and maintenance expenses.
5. When will streetlights be de-energized?
Prior to de-energizing all 1,250 identified lights after July 1, the City of Ann Arbor has requested that DTE conduct a technical pilot in June which includes de-energizing approximately 50 streetlights in an area that runs along Stadium Blvd. from Packard to Washtenaw Ave. and south to Independence Blvd.. [See technical area map]. DTE mailed letters to all DTE customers in the technical-pilot area in advance of completing the work. The technical-pilot was completed by DTE on June 24. Staff will be reviewing the results of the pilot and making a decision with regard to full implementation in the very near future.
6. What will the lighting in my neighborhood look like after de-energizing is completed?
A typical residential neighborhood, after selected streetlights are de-energized, will be similar to the existing street lighting conditions in the neighborhood bounded by W. Stadium Blvd., Pauline Blvd., and Seventh St.. Larger arterial streets will be lit more like Platt Rd. is currently.
7. How will de-energizing streetlights affect the safety of my neighborhood?
We share concerns about public safety. In all of the research the city has reviewed to date, we have found no correlation between lighting levels and public safety. The city's role in providing public lighting is to light the right-of-way, and specifically to address nighttime visibility at intersections and crosswalks. In selecting lights to de-energize, staff have ensured that intersections and crosswalks will remain well lit in order to maintain nighttime visibility for cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians at levels equal to or above recommended practices.
8. Where is the technical pilot location and when will it be launched?
The technical pilot area runs along Stadium Blvd from Packard to Washtenaw Ave and south to Independence Blvd. The technical-pilot launch was completed by DTE's contractor on June 24. The pilot area was selected because it contains both residential and business uses, as well as both arterial and neighborhood streets.
9. When will streetlights be de-energized citywide?
DTE estimates all targeted streetlights will be turned off within eight weeks after the city gives DTE confirmation to proceed citywide. Work on citywide de-energizing could begin as early as July.
10. How can I learn if streetlights in my neighborhood will be de-energized?
De-energized streetlight maps will be published on the city’s website. While these maps will identify streets on which lights will be de-energized, the maps are for illustrative purposes only and will not pinpoint exact streetlight locations. For instance, if you live on Sunny Lane, the map will highlight your street if streetlights along it are proposed to be de-energized but it will not note the exact location of each light, all of which were identified using the guidelines outlined in No. 3 above. Residents will also receive a letter from DTE in advance of any de-energizing work in their neighborhood. While the letter will come from DTE, the city is working closely with DTE on communications efforts throughout this process.
11. How will citizens know if a streetlight has been de-energized or if a bulb is burned out?
Where a streetlight has been intentionally de-energized, signs will be posted on the pole by DTE indicating that the streetlight has been de-energized by the city and the city’s customer service center phone number (734.794.6320) will be listed for questions.
12. Who can I contact to give feedback about the technical area pilot?
Feedback should be directed to the City’s Customer Service Center by calling (734) 794-6320 or via e-mail to customerservice@a2gov.org.
13. Does DTE still charge a street lighting fee for de-energized streetlights?
The city will pay a reduced rate that reflects the reduction in energy use. This is a standard rate approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission, the state entity that regulates DTE.
14. How long will the identified streetlights be de-energized?
It is unclear how long streetlights will be turned off beyond the fiscal year 2011 budget year, which begins on July 1, 2010, and ends June 30, 2011. At this time there is no timetable to re-energize lights, although DTE's approved tariff allows for this option to be elected in the future; there will be no physical changes made to the street lighting system that would prohibit re-energizing lights.
15. What is the annual cost savings?
Conversion of downtown streetlights is already saving the city $100,000 annually. De-energizing approximately 1,250 streetlights will allow the city to save an additional $120,000 annually in energy costs, which are supported by the General Fund. In fiscal year 2010, the city spent about $1.6 million dollars on 7,000 streetlights.
16. Why can’t the city convert de-energized streetlights to LED to capture the necessary cost savings?
Ownership of streetlights limits our options. The city is converting city-owned streetlights to LED as funding becomes available through outside grants. At present, the city has a plan and funding in place to convert all remaining city-owned lights to LED by the end of fiscal year 2012. To date, in discussions with DTE, we have only been able to construct a pilot to convert 58 streetlights DTE-owned streetlights to LED in the State St – Packard – East University area.
17. How is the city communicating these changes to residents?
City Council's initial decision to pursue de-energizing streetlights was mentioned in articles in both the Ann Arbor Chronicle and AnnArbor.com in connection with passage of the city's fiscal year 2011 budget. City staff also issued a press release, posted information to AnnArbor.com and the city's website, and appeared on local radio to discuss the changes. In addition, the city coordinated with DTE Energy on a letter sent by DTE to residents in the pilot area. A similar letter will be sent to residents and businesses prior to work beginning in their neighborhoods. DTE may also place hangers on residents' doors in advance of work in their neighborhood.
18. Are other cities implementing this cost-savings approach?
Yes, there are many cities throughout the state of Michigan, including Jackson, Burton, Flint and Grand Rapids, as well as across the country, such as Fresno, Calif. and Phoenix, Ariz., which are exploring street light shut-offs or charging property owners more for street lighting in an effort to decrease energy costs and help balance general fund budgets. In prior budget years, Ann Arbor has also looked at using special assessment districts to help support streetlight costs and declined to pursue this option. The city has also talked with DTE about purchasing their lights and changing the hours of operation of lights, but these are not immediately available options.