Houston Lights go LED

"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."