Peachtree City getting LED street lights

A white LED street light outside City Hall in Peachtree City shows the difference between the conventional yellow bulbs and newer, more energy-efficient bulbs. Photo by Jill Howard Church for the AJC

A white LED street light outside City Hall in Peachtree City shows the difference between the conventional yellow bulbs and newer, more energy-efficient bulbs. Photo by Jill Howard Church for the AJC

That lone white street light outside City Hall in Peachtree City may be the look of the future.

City Manager Jon Rorie told the City Council recently that statewide, Georgia Power is replacing conventional yellow bulbs with more energy-efficient (and brighter) white LED bulbs. The changeover may occur in Peachtree City later this year.

The city is asking Georgia Power and Coweta-Fayette EMC to verify their current charges for the estimated 1,600 street lights, which is about $365,000 per year. However, the AJC noted in May that Georgia Power got state regulators’ permission to charge local governments higher fees for newer-model street lights, negating any LED cost savings.