SIOUX CITY (AP) — Nighttime travel likely will be easier for motorists in Sioux City as the city looks to change more streetlights to LED bulbs, which shine brighter and are more cost effective.
MidAmerican Energy Co. has announced that it started switching some 100,000 streetlights it owns and operates in the municipalities that it serves from older, high-pressure sodium bulbs to LED, or light-emitting diode, bulbs.
Sioux City owns about 1,600 streetlights in the city, while MidAmerican owns about 6,600 of them. The city has asked MidAmerican to change the lights along streets that see higher traffic.
“It’s the place citizens are going to get the most benefit,” said Ed Pickens, city field services/streets superintendent.
A company representative said a number of municipalities across the U.S. are moving to LED streetlights because it helps them cut costs and save energy.
LED lights shine brighter and emanate a white color, and will be more noticeable to city residents who have grown accustomed to the pinkish-orange glow of current lights.
Because the bulbs use less energy, power plants have to generate less electricity, reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Sioux City started a process to convert to LED streetlights earlier this year and has replaced about 50 so far. Most of the city-owned lights are in business districts, parks and street sections.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors began studying a proposal earlier this year to change every lighting unit in every county building to LED.