Ask the Town: Will Sodium Vapor Lights Be Used?

"Ask the Town" is a weekly series that features Vienna Public Information Officer Kirstyn Barr answering reader questions about anything and everything Vienna. Have a question? Leave it in the comments below; we'll answer it next week.

Steven Vickery: Is the town planning to replace all of the existing streetlights with sodium vapor lights? The sodium vapor lights give off an ugly, orange-ish glow that deadens color. The existing (mercury vapor) lights, in contrast, give a fairly faithful "color rendering." I would ask the Town to carefully consider whether more of the orange lights are put up.

Kirstyn Barr (with Dennis Johnson, Director of Public Works): Streetlights are provided to enhance pedestrian and driver safety. The streetlights in the Town of Vienna are owned and maintained by Dominion Virginia Power (Dominion) under an agreement for the provision of electric service and light to municipalities and Counties of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Fairfax County pays Dominion for the operation and maintenance of the streetlights in the Town of Vienna.

The Energy Act of 2005, passed by the U.S. Congress, prohibits the manufacturing and importation of a key component (ballast) of Mercury Vapor streetlights. Consequently, when the ballast of Mercury Vapor streetlight needs replacement, Dominion replaces the existing Mercury Vapor fixture with an equivalent wattage High Pressure Sodium lighting fixture (which casts an orange light.)

Starting October 1, 2012, Dominion will begin offering LED streetlighting fixtures which have a white/blue color. Unfortunately, these cost a higher rate than the present rate for either Mercury Vapor or High Pressure Sodium. The economic impact of switching to LED at this point would be considerable, but may adjust over time with more experience with this type of fixture.

Have a question? Leave it below, and we'll get it answered next week.