On Tuesday, Georgia Power and the City of Atlanta announced that the company will increase the City’s streetlight footprint by installing 10,000 lights. Besides, the Southern Company’s electric subsidiary will upgrade other lighting, focusing on areas with high rates of traffic accidents and crime.
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About the Lightning Project
In this regard, Bentina Terry, senior vice president of Region External Affairs & Community Engagement at Georgia Power, said; “Through this partnership with the City of Atlanta, Georgia Power is dedicated to providing energy-efficient solutions to improve visibility and safety in our communities.”
Accordingly, “as a committed partner, we are working to help implement solutions that benefit both our citizens and our city,” added Terry.
According to a media release, both parties are looking to achieve increased, high-quality outdoor lighting since it has multiple benefits. For instance, including improved safety and security.
Therefore, with the addition of energy-efficient LED lights and the conversion of several older lights, the City of Atlanta could see a 60% reduction in their energy usage. Also, it could lower its annual carbon footprint by approximately 2,000 tons.
Indeed, this announcement follows The “One Atlanta – Light Up the Night” initiative, which is a six-month streetlight inventory and assessment conducted by the City of Atlanta’s Department of Transportation (ATL DOT). Also, a team of industrial engineering students from Georgia Tech joined the initiative earlier this year.
Thus, as part of the inventory, the team evaluated the City’s existing streetlight footprint. As a result, it identified where additional streetlights are most needed; particularly, based on crime rates, crash rates, and existing lighting coverage.
Reception in the City of Atlanta and Georgia Power
In this regard, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms commented; “The City of Atlanta is proud to partner with Georgia Power; particularly, to invest in streetlights to help keep our communities safe.” Besides, “we anticipate that this significant lighting investment will help reduce crime and accidents.”
Indeed, Georgia Power has a long history of working with government, business, and residential customers. Accordingly, it provides efficient outdoor and roadway lighting solutions across the state.
Moreover, the company is considered a global leader in implementing LED technology; which, consequently, provides energy-efficient quality, reliability, and value.
Finally, Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company. Currently, the Company delivers services to near 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.
On the other hand, the Atlanta Department of Transportation serves as both the coordinating agency for all transportation matters within the city government; and also as the single point of contact for citizens and external agencies. Accordingly, ATLDOT aims to provide a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable transportation network throughout the City.
