Fountain Valley reimbursed for conserving energy

Torus Tammer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Representatives from Southern California Edison

presented the city with a reimbursement check for $144,736 earlier this

month as part of the Edison LED Traffic Signal Rebate Program.

The program was designed to reduce peak energy demand during the

summer months by replacing the regular bulbs in traffic lights with more

energy-efficient bulbs known as light-emitting diodes. As an incentive,

said David Ned Smith, Edison’s vice president of major customers, Edison

offered a full refund for the cost of the LED traffic signals under the

provision that they were installed and functional prior to June 1.

The city was able to take care of all the prerequisites necessary to

get the rebate, and subsequently, reached the deadline a month ahead of

time. With the program now complete and the residents basking in the

fruits of its labor, Fountain Valley Mayor Larry Crandall, who also

accepted the hulking cardboard check on behalf of the city, said that a

lot of credit has to go to the city staff because they had the awareness

to take advantage of the Edison rebate program.

“The city staff acted on this so quickly it made your head spin,” he

said. “They got on it and were able to get the rebate before the cut off

date.”

Crandall said what was most impressive about the deal was that it is

saving more than was previously anticipated.

“This program will be saving approximately 80% to 90% in comparison to

the old energy bill for the traffic lights,” Crandall said. “In this day

and age of power shortages, it’s nice to be ahead of the pack on this,

which we normally are.”