2012-10-23_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Jurek reviewed the pilot program being initiated by Xcel for LED street lights in West St. Paul. While unable to access his online presentation, Mr. Bieging highlighted various components for such a program, using the information sheet provided as an outline. Discussion included ongoing research for LED colors, those being used for the pilot program; initial installation costs and operational savings, with costs reduced as new technology advances. Mr. Bieging spoke to thermal management failures found in initial applications in Brooklyn Park, MN and later improved fixtures and light distribution; reduced size and cost for fixtures, originally at $900 each, and now more in the $300 range for a 100 watt LED fixture and up to $500 for a 250 watt fixture; current life expectancy of fixtures (UPS averaging 3.5 — 6.5 years versus LED averaging 14- 25 years); average wattage comparables (UPS up to 130 watts and LED averaging 60 watts) and white light of LED providing for greater visibility and less shadowing. Additional discussion included costs for fixtures, as well as infrastructure, administration and general expenditures for Xcel to change out from UPS to LED fixtures, ability to change cobra head connections for LED using existing standards; current cost per fixture for UPS averaging $9.50 now, and LED averaging approximately $10.50, with further reductions in the cost for LED lighting once actual overall costs are calculated and trends established, with another 10-15%reduction anticipated at this time. Mr. Bieging reviewed other studies done or in process in communities in Texas, and Colorado (Denver) as well as the West St. Paul, MN study underway, the three (3) different climates of those sites; and findings of those various studies related to technology issues, type of fixtures, current vendors (Phillips and General Electric); and warranties those vendors were offering. Mr. Bieging anticipated completion of Xcel's rate study within the next 12-18- months if not sooner, once data had been compiled and evaluated; at which time Xcel would seek approval of an implementation rate from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Once that approval had been received, Mr. Bieging advised that Xcel could provide the information to manufactures seeking specifications for the system. At the request of Mr. Schwartz, Mr. Beiging explained that the PUC would not let Xcel implement any rates without first providing substantial data; and since LED lighting was inherently different in wattage levels, rates charged were required to have significant data for substantiation for the PUC. Discussion among the Commission and Xcel representatives included: how the rate was broken down for capital versus maintenance costs for the fixtures, with Page 3 of 17