The city of Houston moves to convert all the bulbs at its traffic stops to LEDs, aiming to save energy and money.
"Although the 'light-emitting diode,' or LED, traffic signals will cost 16 times more than incandescent bulbs, their seven-year lifespan is six years longer.
'We want to use energy-efficient lighting and make energy-efficient improvements for the same reason that Wal-Mart does, and that is to reduce costs and save money over the long run and to give Houston a competitive advantage, said Mayor Bill White.
The project is one of several "green initiatives" in the works at City Hall, including establishing new energy-reducing building codes, installing solar panels, buying renewable power and hybrid vehicles and vastly stepping up city recycling programs.
Because debt will be used to finance the project - paid for with funds from energy savings - the cost will go up over the life of the new bulbs by several million dollars, according to a detailed analysis produced by the Public Works and Engineering department."
FULL STORY: City Council gives green light for LED traffic bulbs
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