INDIANAPOLIS — Recently, Mayor Joe Hogsett joined with Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) to announce comprehensive improvements to illuminate darkened street corners throughout Indianapolis as part of Mayor Hogsett’s “Operation Night Light” initiative.
Last summer’s launch of “Operation Night Light” followed Mayor Hogsett’s signing of Executive Order No. 3, which ended the city’s 35-year moratorium on new, city street lights. As Indianapolis has grown, and density has shifted, the city’s lighting infrastructure has been stagnant, leaving pedestrians, motorists and residents in the dark. Over the last year, more than 100 streetlights have been installed in neighborhoods across Indianapolis as part of Phase One of “Operation Night Light.” In addition, IPL has funded a study of residential lighting to gather community feedback and assist in future planning.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, more than 27,000 city streetlights will be retrofitted with energy efficient LED technology, modernizing the city’s lighting system and saving taxpayer dollars. Savings will then be reinvested in new streetlights, adding 4,000 new lights over the coming years.
“Today’s announcement represents a significant victory for Indianapolis neighborhoods – and Indianapolis taxpayers. Through this investment in Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) infrastructure, our city will join the cutting edge of new street light technology, reducing our carbon footprint and improving our public safety efforts by investing those tax dollar savings into thousands of new lights on long-darkened streets,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “We appreciate the work of our partners at IPL in helping to facilitate this historic overhaul, and we look forward to continuing to ensure Indianapolis’ future is the best and brightest it can be.”
Pending approval by the IURC and City-County Council, conversions will begin in the first quarter of 2018. New lights will be installed as savings is realized, with the vast majority of new lights being installed over the next three years.
