Tucson considers streetlight switch to LEDs

In Tucson, where surrounding mountains are topped with telescopes, dim has always been in, and a city plan for converting to LEDs promises to take that into account. City transportation officials say they can deliver better lighting that lowers cost without adding lumens to the city’s overall light pollution tally. An energy audit conducted for the city by the vendor selling the lighting system says Tucson can save $180,000 a month on electrical costs while reducing the city’s overall lumens by 62 percent, said Jessie Sanders, projects manager in the Department of Transportation.