OSRAM and Pepco Donate LED Lights for National Mall
On January 30, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, the National Park Service, and the Trust for the National Mall hosted a lighting ceremony to celebrate the installation of energy-efficient LED lights on the Mall. The LED lights, donated by OSRAM SYLVANIA and installed pro bono by Pepco, the electric utility that serves Washington, DC, will reduce lighting energy use for the streetlamps by up to 65 percent.
“There is no more fitting place to install these state-of-the-art, energy-efficient bulbs than right here in America’s front yard, the National Mall,” said Secretary Salazar. “Today’s action speaks to the power of public-private partnerships that have made our National Park system the best in the world today and for the generations to come…. Investing in an American economy that is built to last includes taking advantage of all of America’s energy resources while working to improve efficiency.”
Salazar and Chu were joined by Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall, Bob Vogel, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and leadership from OSRAM SYLVANIA, Pepco, and Siemens Corporations, SYLVANIA’s parent company.
“The generosity of SYLVANIA and Pepco has progressed our goal of making the National Mall a role model in sustainable urban park development,” said Cunningham. “SYLVANIA and Pepco’s leadership and commitment show the power of public/private partnerships in advancing the Trust’s mission to enhance the beauty, usefulness and sustainability of the National Mall for current and future generations.”
OSRAM SYLVANIA contributed 174 LED lights and the retrofit kits needed to install them in the historic bronze streetlamps that line the Mall from 3rd to 15th streets. The kits replaced the Mall’s high intensity discharge (HID) and compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) creating splotchy color inconsistencies and an irregular maintenance schedule. The advanced solid state lighting lends bright white light that is evenly distributed to the pathways and green space below. The kits improve the efficiency of the overall system and preserve the historic integrity of the original Olmsted light fixtures.
Donation of LED lights valued at >$100K
“OSRAM SYLVANIA has been incredibly generous for over a decade in helping us bring efficient and beautiful light to the parks and monuments we maintain,” recalled Vogel. “This project was no different. The SYLVANIA solution was totally in line with our sustainability initiatives, and we didn’t have to compromise on aesthetics.”
“SYLVANIA is honored to light our nation’s favorite national park with innovative and cutting-edge LED technology assembled here on US soil,” said Rick Leaman, president and CEO of OSRAM SYLVANIA. “This energy-efficient lighting transformation of our country’s National Mall will create a brilliant display of light while also providing a welcoming environment to visitors in the years to come.”
Pepco overhead line crews installed the LED lights pro bono. “Pepco is proud to have been part of the federal reconstruction of the National Mall in the 1930’s, when Pepco overhead crews first installed the streetlights that line the Mall,” said Joseph M. Rigby, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Pepco Holdings, Inc. “Today we are proud to be part of another illumination of the Mall by installing attractive, energy-efficient lights in the original historic lamp posts.” Rigby is chairman emeritus of the National Trust’s Corporate Committee.
The new LED lights are not only brighter, but it last longer than most conventional light sources. In fact, the Park Service will not have to replace these lamps for an estimated 25 years, which represents significant maintenance cost savings.
“The National Park Service is grateful for the generosity of SYLVANIA and Pepco, and for the support of the Trust for the National Mall. We are committed to promoting sustainability on the Mall and this project is helping us do that,” said Superintendent Vogel.
174 LED Lights
- Annual energy savings (kWh) = 77,500 kWh
- Annual energy savings (%) = 65%
- Annual CO2 emissions savings = 188,480 lbs
Source: www.sylvania.com. Check out the slideshow from DOE.