Province Releases Draft LED Roadway Lighting Regulations for Public Comment

ENERGY--Province Releases Draft LED Roadway Lighting Regulations for Public Comment

• ---------------------------------------------------------------The province is asking for public input into draft regulations on LED lighting for all roads and highways in Nova Scotia.

The province amended the Energy-efficient Appliances Act in the spring of 2011 to pave the way for Nova Scotia to be the only jurisdiction in North America to mandate more energy-efficient roadway lighting.

The draft regulations are now available for a 30-day public comment period.

"These regulations mandate the use of LED roadway lighting, which uses about half the energy of current lighting and makes Nova Scotia a leader in combining fiscal and environmental responsibility," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker.

"Many of our municipalities have already switched over to LED roadway lights and are reporting operational savings. These draft regulations are now open for public comment."

The regulations provide the timeline for conversion by Nova Scotia Power and municipalities to lighting that meets the internationally-recognized LED standard. All roadway lighting in the province will be converted to LED lighting by June 30, 2019. Municipalities have one year from the date the amended regulations take effect to file a report with the minister outlining how the conversion to LED street lighting will take place.

Nova Scotia Power must meet four incremental timelines to achieve 100 per cent conversion between 2013 and 2019, while municipalities must achieve 75 per cent conversation by June 30, 2017 and 100 per cent by June 30, 2019.

Converting to LED will save about $18 million when energy savings are combined with maintenance costs.

The regulations were drafted by the Department of Energy after consulting with the LED Working Group that includes representatives from Halifax Regional Municipality, Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, Efficiency Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power.

The regulations are available at www.gov.ns.ca/energy/public-consultation/ .