Binghamton hires Johnson Controls to conduct LED street-light conversion study

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. –– Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David announced last week that the global technology firm Johnson Controls will conduct a review and study of all of the city’s municipal lighting.

It’s the first step in Binghamton’s plan to convert more than 7,000 street lights to LED technology.

“We continue to move forward this exciting project to brighten our City and improve public safety,” Mayor David says in a news release. “The public will notice an immediate difference after LED bulbs are installed. The City’s atmosphere will be much more inviting to residents, visitors and businesses.”

Johnson Controls, which has an office in Syracuse, is managing the planning and installation of LED bulbs in Binghamton.

The study will include GPS mapping of all city street lights, calculations to determine energy savings, and identification of suitable LED replacements, including new fixtures or retrofits.

The Binghamton City Council approved a contract for these services at its March 18 business meeting, the release stated.

The study is expected to take eight weeks to complete, according to the release.

Johnson Controls is expected to mobilize its full installation team in the summer. The project will be complete by early 2016.

In addition to converting street lights, Johnson Controls is exploring LED technology for the city’s parking garages and bridges, according to the release.

The project is estimated to cost about $4 million in total, the release stated. However, the energy and maintenance savings from LED technology is expected to offset those costs, Binghamton contends. The city will also pursue green infrastructure grants from NYSERDA and other agencies to fund the project.

Jared Kraham, deputy mayor of Binghamton, tells BJNN that the city selected Johnson Controls after interviews with a handful of firms. Siemens, a global engineering firm, was also considered for the job, Kraham says.

LED street lights shine six to seven times brighter than the city’s current municipal lights, according to the release. The conversion will also mean fewer replacements of street light bulbs.

In 2013, Binghamton spent nearly $1.5 million on energy expenses. Of that, nearly $535,000 was expended on street lighting, according to the city.

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