Woonsocket, RI: Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced today that the City will be looking for the
Woonsocket City Council to approve entering into an agreement with Wakefield RI based Partnership for Rhode Island Streetlight Management (PRISM) to replace existing, outdated streetlights with new, energy efficient, less costly to operate LED lights.

The City’s LED conversion cost, net of National Grid and State incentives, is expected to be approximately $453,000.

Rethinking Power Management, LLC (RPM), a National Grid partner, projects the City’s annual electric and maintenance LED savings to be $521,000 and forecasts ten-year savings of $5.2 million. Since the LED project will pay for itself within one year, the City will propose using surplus funding to cover LED conversion costs and to then replenish that funding from
immediate energy and maintenance savings.

“This “Go Green” LED streetlight initiative will enhance public safety by better illuminating our streets, reducing our streetlight energy costs by approximately 70% and lessening carbon emissions. It is a win for Woonsocket taxpayers and for the environment,” exclaimed Mayor Baldelli-Hunt. “This project quickly pays for itself within one year from the energy and maintenance cost savings that it generates,” stated the Mayor.

Director of Public Works Steven D’Agostino added, “I support the LED streetlight replacement initiative as it forwards our march to lower Woonsocket’s utility costs with the upgrade of our antiquated street lighting.”
RPM assisted the City with the RFP and with helping guide the City through a comprehensive vendor selection process. PRISM was the low-cost bidder and demonstrated a broad knowledge of LED lighting, a history of successful LED conversions and a record of responsive post-conversion maintenance.

“We would like to accelerate our streetlight replacement to LED and begin the design process as soon as possible with PRISM because this is an extraordinary opportunity to save a lot of green by going green,” emphasized Mayor Baldelli-Hunt.

The timeline for Woonsocket LED streetlight replacement will be established once the City Council approves PRISM as the LED streetlight conversion vendor. A workshop has been scheduled for August 17th at 6:30 PM to review PRISM’s proposal. Once approved, the City intends to work with PRISM on determining optimal lighting throughout the City to improve visibility and increase public safety.