Staff Reports, Woodland Daily Democrat

 Fairfield is embarking on a citywide street and pedestrian light-conversion project with money made available through a Department of Energy block grant coupled with a low-cost loan from the state.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Of the $984,500 total award made to the city, most of the money will be used to retrofit and/or convert some 1,500 of the city's 8,200 street and pedestrian lights from high-pressure sodium to induction lighting.

"High-pressure sodium lighting produces a yellowish/orange tint and has a use life of about four to five years. Compare that to induction lights, which will last 15 to 20 years, cast a white light and are more energy efficient," explained David White, who oversees the city's Sustainability Initiative.

The city will improve the remaining street and pedestrian lights by using a 1 percent state loan for $3 million. White touts the improved quality of lighting, life of the lights and the energy savings to Fairfield as ways to save money and reduce the city's carbon footprint.

The lighting project begins this month and is expected to be completed toward the end of 2011.